Brazilian President Describes Israel War on Gaza as ‘Premeditated Genocide'
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday condemned Israeli war on Gaza and called it a 'premeditated genocide,' during his visit to Paris, according to Al-Jazeera. Premeditated Genocide
Lula noted that the Israeli military campaign had killed at least 52 people in its latest attack on Gaza.
'This is not a war. It is genocide. A genocide being carried out by a highly trained army, against women and children' Lula said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 119,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
'[It is] a premeditated genocide from a far-right government that is waging a war, including against the interests of its own people,' he said.
This was not the first time for Lulu to use the term 'genocide' to describe Israel's actions in Gaza. However, Macron has reserved his opinion, stating in May that it was not for a 'political leader to use the term, but up to historians to do so when the time comes'.
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-chair an international conference this month at the UN in order to deeply consider a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, Paris has unveiled that it could formally recognize a Palestinian state this year. Harsh Attack on Macron
In May, Israel accused French President Emmanuel Macron of undertaking a 'crusade against the Jewish state.'
The Israeli statement came after Macron's call for European countries to toughen up their stance on Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve. New Settlements
Israel recently announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.
Consequently, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank.
'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said.
Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. New Suggestion
Last week, the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has attacked France's call for recognizing the Palestinian state, stating that if it adopted such an outcome, it could 'carve out a piece of the French Riviera' and create one, according to Al-Arabiya.
'If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them — carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state. They are welcome to do that, but they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation,' Huckabee said.
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