BRICS Summit Declaration Condemns Israeli Actions, Supports Iran
The final declaration from the BRICS summit in New Delhi, a 140-point document, includes a strong section on the Middle East, addressing the Gaza conflict and Iran. Regarding the Palestinian issue, BRICS explicitly demands that no Palestinian displacement from Gaza, either temporary or permanent, be permitted, and opposes any changes to its territory or demographics. The bloc reiterated its support for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital, and called for full UN membership for Palestine. The declaration also affirms the Palestinian right of return.
BRICS called for an end to the "illegal occupation," condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. The group reaffirmed its support for UNRWA and referenced South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Any unilateral attempts to alter the legal and historical status of East Jerusalem were also rejected.
A significant portion of the declaration addresses Iran, expressing "serious concern" over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. While the US and Israel are not directly named, the statement implicitly refers to strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure amidst ongoing conflicts. BRICS also condemned unilateral economic and secondary sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council, demanding their cessation, and officially supported Iran's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
The declaration also reiterated calls for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Overall, the document provides substantial political backing for Iran on multiple fronts, including against strikes on its nuclear facilities, Western sanctions, and for its economic integration. On the Palestinian question, BRICS's stance directly contrasts with the current Israeli government's policies, advocating against displacement from Gaza, for a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders, and East Jerusalem as its capital.
