Brazil condemns Israel for encouraging occupation of Palestinian lands
Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the measures approved by the Israeli government that facilitate the seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank by Israeli citizens.
The Brazilian government states that the measures favor the expansion of illegal settlements and contribute to increasing Israel’s interference in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“The Brazilian government deplores the measures approved on February 8 by Israel’s security cabinet, which make it easier for Israeli citizens to purchase property in the West Bank, State of Palestine, by changing land registration rules and granting new administrative and supervisory powers to Israeli government agencies,” a statement from the Brazilian Foreign Ministry published on Tuesday (Feb. 10) reads.
The Brazilian government claims that the decision represents a “flagrant violation of international law” and contradicts the opinion of the International Court of Justice, which considered Israel’s presence in the occupied West Bank illegal, “with that country having an obligation to immediately cease new settlement activities and evacuate all residents.”
Advance in the West Bank
The Israeli government has announced a series of measures to strengthen settlements in the West Bank, which is Palestinian territory under international law.
“One of the main measures is the opening of land registration in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] to the public. From now on, it will be possible to purchase land in Judea and Samaria through a simpler and more transparent procedure,” said Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas condemned the measure and called for international action against the Israeli government.
In the note, the Brazilian government asked Israel not to take actions equivalent to annexing occupied Palestinian territory “that threaten the viability of implementing a two-state solution and the possibility of a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.”
