Leaders of emerging economies demanded on Tuesday that Israel stop its war on Gaza and that hostilities cease on both sides in order to alleviate the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The BRICS group condemned attacks on civilians in Israel and Palestine during a virtual summit that was presided over by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Several of the leaders referred to the forcible relocation of Palestinians, either inside or outside of Gaza, as “war crimes.”

According to a summary delivered by the chair,

“We condemned any kind of individual or mass forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians from their own land.

… the forced transfer and deportation of Palestinians, whether inside Gaza or to neighbouring countries, constitute grave breaches of the Geneva conventions and war crimes and violations under International Humanitarian Law.”

The big rising economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS, are striving for more influence in the international system that has long been dominated by the United States and its Western allies.

These nations are frequently seen as the leaders of the “Global South,” as it is known in the language of international diplomacy. However, more than just these five nations discussed the conflict on Tuesday.

The BRICS had decided earlier this year to grow and include Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran as members starting in 2024.

The gathering that South Africa organized was attended by the leaders of these six nations as well. Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the UN, also attended the summit.

The chair’s report, which essentially captures the core of the atmosphere in the room, emphasizes the mounting calls for an end to the Gaza Strip war coming from the Global South.

The battle started on October 7, when the militant group Hamas attacked Israeli villages, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 more. In retaliation, Israel has been shelling Gaza nonstop, hitting schools, hospitals, and refugee camps. This has killed over 13,000 people, many of them children, and violated international law.

Millions of people have since marched for a “Free Palestine” and demanded a ceasefire throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Scholars from Africa and other regions have charged the US, UK, and EU with being hypocritical for purporting to

Some nations were more aggressive in their presentations, but the chair’s summary seemed “mild and somewhat balanced,” according to Steven Gruzd, an analyst at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

President Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is now leading the BRICS, said in his opening remarks that Israel’s actions “are in plain violation of international law” and that the “collective punishment of Palestinian people by Israel “is a war crime… akin to genocide.” In addition, Ramaphosa declared that Hamas “must be held accountable” for violating international law.

India took a somewhat more moderate stand, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stating that “peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy” as well as “a need for restraint and immediate humanitarian support” were both necessary.

BRICS “Growing Assertiveness”

Some nations were more aggressive in their presentations, but the chair’s summary seemed “mild and somewhat balanced,” according to Steven Gruzd, an analyst at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

President Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is now leading the BRICS, said in his opening remarks that Israel’s actions “are in plain violation of international law” and that the “collective punishment of Palestinian people by Israel “is a war crime… akin to genocide.”

In addition, Ramaphosa declared that Hamas “must be held accountable” for violating international law.

India took a somewhat more moderate stand, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stating that “peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy” as well as “a need for restraint and immediate humanitarian support” were both necessary.

“I am not sure I recall a similar extraordinary summit being called. It does reflect on the growing assertiveness and confidence of the BRICS grouping, not waiting for the West. BRICS has generally shied away from political and security issues; this meeting goes against that trend.”

Steven Gruzd, analyst at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

The BRICS nations collectively account for 25% of the world’s economy and 40% of the world’s population.

Israel’s fiercest adversary, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, suggested that the Palestinians should hold a referendum to decide their future.
However, not just India but a number of the BRICS countries have developed relationships with Israel that they will be hesitant to break.

Gruzd points out that although China has significant investments in Israel, India has even closer historical ties to the nation and benefits from joint military and technological ventures.

However, India might not be able to control how a new BRICS+ will respond to Israel given that a ferocious Iran is expected to join the group, according to Gruzd.

According to analysts, South Africa, the smallest of the BRICS nations and a nation that endured harsh apartheid for over 40 years, sees parallels in the Palestinian struggle and has continuously been among the most vocal proponents of a ceasefire.

It has also long been Israel’s main trading partner in Africa. That relationship seemed to have reached a turning point on Tuesday.

Voters in parliament decided to close the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, which marked a sea change in the situation.

On November 6, the nation’s diplomats were already brought back from Israel. In response to Pretoria’s growing hostility, Israel called Eliav Belotserkovsky, its ambassador to South Africa, back for “consultations” on Monday.

Last week, South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti sent a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) asking them to look into possible war crimes in Gaza.

Bibi Netanyahu Should Be Sent to The Hague for War Crimes

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, increased the pressure on Monday by requesting an International Criminal Court warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He further stated that it would be a “total failure” if the court chose not to look into the leader.

Because President Vladimir Putin has an ICC arrest warrant out for war crimes committed in Ukraine, South Africa was able to persuade Russia earlier this year not to send him to the BRICS Summit in August.

South Africa, a signatory to the ICC, would have been required to arrest Putin had he attended the summit there.

According to activist Muhammed Desai of Africa4Palestine, the BRICS position announced on Tuesday—which was spearheaded by South Africa—may encourage other nations to vocally oppose the war.

“South Africa is a significant economic and political powerhouse on the African continent as well as a country with one of the most embassies and high commissions in the world. Thus, its stance and position does have clout within the diplomatic arena.”

Muhammed Desai of Africa4Palestine

Others, however, contend that the coalition’s political clout is insufficient to truly influence Israel’s war strategy. Gruzd of SAIIA stated, “To be honest, I don’t think they have much leverage on Israel directly.” “It won’t have much of an impact on the West, other than amplifying the calls for a ceasefire,” I add.

Still, their power is increasing. Many countries want to lessen their reliance on the US-led Western financial system, which is one of the main reasons for the expansion of BRICS earlier this year. Dozens of countries have applied or expressed interest in joining.

As the group’s 2024 president, Russia is anticipated to advocate for the use of local currencies rather than the US dollar, which is currently the currency of choice, for international trade payments.

Some claim that in order for the voice of the Global South to be heard, that platform is essential. Africa4Palestine’s Desai stated, “BRICS offers another voice within the global world order, and that is necessary to counter the current Western hegemonic view.”

Russia’s Sacred Duty to Gaza

Russian President Vladimir Putin made this argument on Wednesday, saying that Moscow has a moral duty to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza.

He had expressed to other BRICS leaders the previous day how videos showing Palestinian children undergoing surgery without anesthesia had affected him.

“When you watch how children are being operated on with no anesthesia – this of course arouses very special feelings. This is a very important, humanitarian, noble mission. We need to help people suffering as a result of the ongoing events.”

President Putin, addressing the Russian cabinet

The head of Russia continued by saying that helping Palestinian civilians in Gaza “our sacred duty.”