Lula criticizes the UN for its inability to make Israel negotiate

Brasil de Fato

On Tuesday (1) afternoon, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party) criticized Israel’s warlike behavior and international organizations’ inability to curb the country’s violence.

“What I regret is the Israeli government’s behavior. Frankly, it’s inexplicable that the UN Council doesn’t have the moral and political authority to make Israel sit down at a table to negotiate, instead of keeping on killing,” said Lula.

The statement was made moments after Iran’s airstrike against Israel on Tuesday (01), the same day that the Israeli military claims to have begun its ground invasion of Lebanon. Dozens of explosions were heard in Tel Aviv as alarm sirens sounded, shortly after the Israeli army claimed Iran had launched missiles against Israel. Hezbollah – a Lebanese military and political group – refuted the claims, saying Israeli soldiers had not crossed the border. 

In a statement, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the government is following “with grave concern, the Israeli Army’s ground military operations in southern Lebanon, in violation of international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.”

The Brazilian ministry also condemned Israeli attacks on various Lebanese regions, which have killed more than 1,000 people since September 17. Last week, Israeli bombings in Lebanon caused the death of two Brazilian teenagers.

“In reaffirming its defense of full respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Brazil urges Israel to immediately halt its ground incursions and air strikes on densely populated civilian areas in that country,” the statement continued.

On Sunday (22) in New York City, during the opening of the UN Future Summit, which precedes the UN General Assembly, Lula pointed out that, currently, “most bodies lack the authority and means of implementation to make countries comply with their decisions”.

Flight to repatriate Brazilians

Lula authorized the repatriation of Brazilians who are in Lebanon. A Brazilian Air Force plane will take off from Galeão Airport, in Rio de Janeiro, heading to Lebanon on Wednesday (2).

The operation, called Cedar Roots, will rescue 220 Brazilians who are currently on Lebanese territory. The Brazilian Air Force flight will use a KC-30 aircraft to fly to Beirut Airport, the capital of the Middle Eastern country. The flight will make a stopover to refuel in Lisbon, both on the way out and back. Other flights have not yet been confirmed, but will probably be arranged in the next few days.

The largest community of Brazilians in the Middle East is currently in Lebanon. In all, 21,000 Brazilians live in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is in permanent contact with Brazilians in the country, to whom it provides emergency consular assistance.

In addition to the flight crew, the rescue team will be made up of military health personnel, such as doctors, nurses and psychologists, who will be ready to provide any necessary medical assistance to the returnees during the mission.