BRICS Summit Marks Unprecedented Shift in Focus as It Condemns Israel’s Actions in Gaza

24-11-2023

Mariana Mayor Lima

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

Leaders of BRICS, a bloc comprising major emerging economies and developing nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, held a virtual summit on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, along with other countries that have been invited to join the BRICS group next year - Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting aimed to reshape a Western-dominated world order deemed outdated and discuss the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. [1]

The current BRICS chair organised the virtual summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, marking the first gathering of the group’s leaders since Israel invaded Gaza in retaliation for a deadly raid by the militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7. [2] Despite not resulting in a formal joint declaration, attributed by the President Ramaphosa to a lack of sufficient time for drafting, the meeting, according to experts, was unprecedented for a group traditionally focused on economic issues. “I am not sure I recall a similar extraordinary summit being called […] It does reflect 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.” stated Gruzd, an analyst at the South African Institute of International Affairs. [3]

While there is a shared orientation among these countries regarding the conflict, nuances emerge when analysing the different attitudes and levels of positioning toward the current situation. These differences can be discerned by taking a closer look at the individual stance of each BRICS member in the current scenario. A more assertive position was observed from South Africa, with its president, the summit’s host, reiterating strong criticisms of the Israeli government. [4] He asserted that Israel’s conduct in the conflict violates international law: “The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime [...] The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food, and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide.” stated President Ramaphosa. [5]

Furthermore, South Africa referred Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the International Criminal Court (“the ICC”) to be investigated for potential war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. [6] In the same month as the BRICS summit, Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa, and the South African parliament voted to close the Israeli embassy, intensifying the diplomatic crisis between the countries. [7]

Brazil, Russia, and China adopted milder stances. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that “Brazil strongly condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 7 against the Israeli people [...] However, these barbaric acts do not justify the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate force against civilians.” He further concluded, “We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe.” However, he did not use the term “genocide” which he had previously employed in reference to the conflict. [8]

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a ceasefire and an end to what he termed collective punishment by Israel of Gaza’s inhabitants during his statement at the meeting. “The root cause of the Palestinian-Israeli situation is the fact that the right of the Palestinian people to statehood, their right to existence, and their right of return have long been ignored.” Xi said. [9] Last month, China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution stating that Israel had the right to defend itself. [10] Similarly, Russian President Vladimir Putin also called for a ceasefire in his speech, stating that BRICS states, along with regional countries, could play an important role in finding a political solution to the conflict. “We call for joint efforts of the international community aimed at de-escalating the situation, a ceasefire, and finding a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. And the BRICS states... could play a key role in this work.” Putin said. [11]

India had the most lenient position among the bloc’s countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not speak during the meeting, leaving doubts about the country’s position regarding the conflict in Gaza. [12] This fact is further accentuated by the country’s abstaining vote for the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, arguing that the text did not condemn Hamas. [13]

In conclusion, the BRICS summit held on November 21, 2023, was highly significant not only due to the relevance of the discussed topic but also because of the noteworthy shift from the bloc’s traditional economic focus. In light of the remarkable nature of this meeting, BRICS clearly delved into the discussion of urgent political and security issues. The slight differences in considerations and the inability to produce a joint statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza so far reveal the complex political dynamics within the BRICS bloc. However, as the geopolitical landscape continues to be marked by changes and challenges, it is important to emphasise the assertiveness demonstrated in addressing global issues and the collaborative efforts for alignment among the countries of the “Global South” signalling a notable evolution for BRICS, challenging traditional paradigms characterised by a limited multilateralism and the hegemony of unilateralism, stemming mainly from hierarchical power structures in international politics. The introduction of these new topics during a BRICS summit enhances its potential in international affairs and underscores its capacity and desire for a more effective role on the global diplomatic stage.

Sources and further reading

[1] Al Jazeera, ‘BRICS condemns Israel war on Gaza in signal to the West’ (21 November 2023), <BRICS condemns Israel war on Gaza in signal to the West | Israel-Palestine conflict | Al Jazeera> accessed 23 November 2023.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] The New York Times, ‘At BRICS Summit, Countries Diverge Slightly on Israel and War in Gaza’ (21 November 2023),  <At BRICS Summit, Countries Diverge Slightly on Israel and War in Gaza - The New York Times> accessed 23 November 2023.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Governo Brasileiro, ‘Speech by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the BRICS Extraordinary Virtual Summit’ (21 November 2023), <Speech by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the BRICS Extraordinary Virtual Summit> accessed 23 November 2023.

[9] Reuters, ‘BRICS countries discuss Gaza conflict but don't agree joint declaration’ (21 November 2023), <BRICS countries discuss Gaza conflict but don't agree joint declaration | Reuters> accessed 23 November 2023.

[10] Supra note 4.

[11] Supra note 9.

[12] Supra note 4.

[13] Supra note 4.