President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) held a telephone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel late Monday afternoon (October 16) to discuss the war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.
According to a statement from Secom (Communications Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic), the two leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening the Palestinian Authority “as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
The selfrule body was created to administer territories claimed by Palestinians during peace negotiations with Israel. However, the organization lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas and now only controls parts of the West Bank.
Lula and Michel also agreed on the importance of creating a humanitarian corridor for the release of hostages and the entry of medicine and food for civilians in Gaza. The PT member would have asked that these positions be reaffirmed at the extraordinary meeting of the European Council which brings together the heads of government of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) this Tuesday (October 17).
According to Secom, in the dialogue Lula also expressed concern for Brazilians and other citizens trying to leave Gaza.