JOHANNESBURG – In a significant international development, leaders from the BRICS bloc and invited nations have collectively spotlighted Palestine as one of the world’s paramount conflicts demanding urgent global attention. The declaration, emerging from an extraordinary joint meeting held in Johannesburg on November 21, 2023, underscores the escalating crisis in the region and calls for adherence to the principles of the UN Charter for peaceful dispute resolution.
This development occurred as the conflict intensified on the ground, with Israeli forces conducting air strikes and artillery attacks east of Rafah, near Khan Younis, and in Gaza City’s Tuffah area. Efforts to recover bodies in the Maghazi camp were set to begin, though a planned search was previously paused after an attack on civil defense crews. Simultaneously, a drone strike in southern Lebanon claimed one life, further highlighting the regional instability.
The Johannesburg Declaration and Global Conflicts
The extraordinary joint meeting, which included leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, alongside invited nations, focused on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories. The declaration expressed grave concern over the escalation of violence since the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent deterioration of the situation. It unequivocally condemned acts of violence targeting Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including alleged war crimes, indiscriminate attacks, and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. The leaders stressed the paramount importance of protecting civilians in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Palestine was explicitly named alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine as critical global conflicts requiring immediate focus. This inclusion signals a unified stance by the participating nations to draw international community attention to the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Johannesburg II Declaration, stemming from the August 2023 BRICS Summit, had previously reaffirmed a commitment to a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through peaceful means, emphasizing direct negotiations based on international law and relevant UN resolutions for a two-state solution.
Calls for Accountability and Humanitarian Aid
The statement from the November 21 meeting also stressed the need for accountability, advocating for independent and transparent investigations into alleged violations of international standards. Significantly, the leaders condemned any form of forcible transfer or deportation of Palestinians from their land, deeming such actions as grave breaches of Geneva conventions and violations of international humanitarian law.
The summit participants reiterated the urgent need for full, immediate, safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This call aligns with fundamental principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence as established in UNGA resolution 46/182. The leaders also called for the unconditional release of all illegally held civilians, demanding their safety and humane treatment in compliance with international law.
The Broader Context: UN Charter and Peaceful Resolution
The declaration’s emphasis on using UN Charter principles for peaceful dispute resolution reflects a long-standing commitment within international diplomacy. Previous G20 declarations, such as those from Rome in 2021 and Bali in 2022, have also addressed global conflicts and underscored the importance of international law and peaceful settlement of disputes, though they did not specifically highlight Palestine in the same prominent manner as the recent BRICS meeting.
The Bali Summit declaration in 2022, for instance, acknowledged differences over the war in Ukraine but most members strongly condemned it, stressing its impact on human suffering and the global economy. It also called for adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. The Rome Summit in 2021 focused more on climate change and pandemic recovery, with a general statement on food insecurity fueled by armed conflicts.
Escalating Violence and Grim Statistics
The current crisis has resulted in a devastating human toll. Since October 2023, it is reported that at least 69,546 Palestinians have died and 170,833 have been injured. The initial Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,139 deaths. Reports indicate that since a ceasefire on October 11, 2025, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 318, with 788 wounded. These figures highlight the immense suffering and the critical need for de-escalation and sustained peace efforts.
The recent discussions by BRICS leaders underscore the gravity of the situation, positioning Palestine as a central global conflict requiring immediate and concerted international action. This collective statement from a significant bloc of nations serves as a powerful call for diplomatic solutions and an end to the ongoing violence today.