The leaders of the BRICS group discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today, Tuesday, without reaching an agreement on a joint statement. The virtual talks, organized by South Africa, the current president of BRICS, were the first among group leaders since Israel's invasion of Gaza last month following an attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns on October 7. The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The group agreed in August to welcome Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the UAE as members starting in January, a step aimed at accelerating its efforts to reshape the global system dominated by the West, which it considers outdated.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated in today's discussions that diplomats did not have enough time to draft a joint announcement. He added, "We have called for all parties to exercise the utmost restraint... We affirmed... that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved through peaceful means."
The leaders of the group highlighted different points in their remarks. Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero stated that his country recognizes Israel's right "to defend itself while strictly respecting international humanitarian law," while Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to express more sympathy for the Palestinians, noting that "the main reason for the situation between Palestinians and Israelis is the long-standing disregard for the Palestinian people's right to establish a state, their right to exist, and their right to return."
Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the crisis on the failure of American diplomacy in the Middle East, stating, "We call on the international community to make joint efforts aimed at calming the situation, achieving a ceasefire, and finding a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. BRICS countries... can play a key role in this initiative."
