1 of 2 Maria Clara de Paula Tusco, representative of the Brazilian government, speaks this Tuesday (20) in The Hague — Photo: Reproduction Maria Clara de Paula Tusco, representative of the Brazilian government, speaks this Tuesday (20) in The Hague — Photo: reproduction
The Brazilian government stated on Tuesday (20) that the Israeli occupation of the territories in Palestine “cannot be normalized” by the international community. The statement was made at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, the United Nations' highest court.
“Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, which has continued since 1967 and violates international law and numerous UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, cannot be accepted, let alone normalized, by the international community,” said diplomat Maria Clara of Paula Tusco. Brazilian government representatives in court.
“However, the tragic events of that date and the disproportionate and indiscriminate military operations that followed make it clear that simply managing the conflict cannot be seen as an option and as a twostate solution, alongside which an economically viable Palestinian state coexists.” Israel is the only way to ensure peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians,” said the Brazilian representative in The Hague.
A day ago, the International Court of Justice held a series of historic hearings in which 52 states were expected to defend their positions on the 56 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the consequences of the conflict.
Although it was a longawaited event, Brazil's speech was expected as it was two days ago. President Lula found himself in diplomatic conflict with Israel after comparing the country's actions in the Gaza Strip for the extermination of Jews in World War II.
At the end of the week, Lula labeled Israel's response in the Gaza Strip to the Hamas terrorist attacks in early October as a “genocide” and a “massacre.” He compared the Israeli action to the extermination of millions of Jews by the Nazis led by Adolf Hitler last century.
After what happened, Israel considered Lula a “persona non grata.” The term is a legal instrument used in international relations to indicate that a foreign official representative is no longer welcome. The nomenclature was described in Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Israeli government declares Lula “persona non grata”; President recalls ambassador from Tel Aviv
On Monday (19), Palestinian representatives asked the United Nations' highest court to declare Israel's occupation of their territory illegal, also saying that the court's opinion could contribute to a lasting peace solution.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad alMaliki has accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to decades of discrimination and apartheid allegations Israel denies.
“The only solution consistent with international law is the immediate, unconditional and complete end to this illegal occupation,” he said.
Israel is not taking part in the hearings but has submitted a written statement saying that an advisory opinion would be detrimental to reaching a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians.
This Tuesday (20), South Africa, which opened the second day of the hearing, asked the court to give a legal opinion that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories was illegal, and argued that this would help efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.
2 of 2 Tal Becker, representative for foreign affairs of Israel, appears in the place intended for the country before the International Court of Justice on January 12, 2024 Photo: Thilo Schmuelgen/Portal Tal Becker, representative for foreign affairs of Israel, appears seated on January 12. January 2024 in front of the International Court of Justice for the country Photo: Thilo Schmuelgen/Portal
Since its founding in 1946, the International Court of Justice has issued 30 legal opinions and its judges have discussed territorial occupations more than once. For example, between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda in 2005.