Overview

• Lula labeled Israel’s Gaza campaign an attempt at ethnic cleansing and the annihilation of Palestinian statehood, asserting there is “no word more appropriate” than genocide.
• He denounced the UN Security Council veto as a tyranny that blocks action and called on the General Assembly to create an oversight body modeled on the anti‑apartheid committee.
• The high‑level conference at UN headquarters was convened by France and Saudi Arabia to advance a two‑state path, and it was boycotted by Israel and the United States.
• France announced recognition of the State of Palestine during the meeting, following recognitions a day earlier by the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
• Lula reiterated Brazil’s condemnation of Hamas attacks while arguing Israel’s self‑defense does not justify indiscriminate killing of civilians, and he warned that Palestine’s territory, population and governance are being systematically undermined.