Thank you for your attendance at this Extraordinary Joint Meeting to address a matter of grave global concern.

Since the 7th of October, when more than 1,200 people were killed in an attack by Hamas on Israel, the world has born witness to the devastating killing of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza, many of whom are women and children.

Over 11,000 residents of Gaza have been killed. Many thousands more have been injured. Infrastructure, homes, hospitals and other public facilities have been destroyed. More than half of Gaza’s population has been displaced.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this violence in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

The actions by Israel are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention read together with its protocols.

In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these actions.

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.

The atrocities that we have witnessed are the latest chapter in a painful history of suffering, oppression, occupation and conflict going back more than 75 years.

The root cause of this conflict is the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel as reflected in UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which states that “Israeli settlements constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.”

We therefore urge the international community to agree on urgent and concrete actions to end the suffering in Gaza and establish a path towards a just and peaceful resolution of this conflict.

As South Africa, we call for:

First, an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.

Second, the opening of humanitarian corridors so that aid and other basic services reach all those in need.

Third, all countries to exercise restraint and to desist from fueling this conflict, including by ceasing the supply of weapons to the parties.

Fourth, the release of all civilian hostages.

Fifth, the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue led and owned by Palestinians and Israelis themselves and facilitated by the United Nations.

Sixth, the deployment of a UN Rapid Deployment Force in Palestine, with a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities and protect civilians.

Lastly, the International Criminal Court to urgently initiate prosecutions against those responsible for the perpetration of war crimes.

As South Africans, we appreciate the importance and value of international solidarity.

As an important voice of the Global South representing a large part of humanity, we believe that BRICS has a vital role in a widespread international effort to achieve a just and lasting peace.

As individual countries, we have demonstrated our grave concern at the death and destruction in Gaza.

Let this meeting stand as a clarion call for us to combine our efforts and strengthen our actions to end this historical injustice.

Let us work together to realise a just, peaceful and secure future for the people of both Palestine and Israel.

I thank you.

I would like to welcome the presence of the representatives of the countries invited to join the BRICS: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Since the beginning of the current conflict between Israel and Palestine, I have had the opportunity to talk bilaterally with practically all the leaders gathered here.

Brazil strongly condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 against the Israeli people. Three Brazilians were victims of these attacks.

On several occasions, we have reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

However, such barbaric acts do not justify the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate force against civilians.

We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Innocent people are paying the price for the insanity of war, especially women, children and the elderly.

The high death toll - more than 12,000 people, including 5,000 children - causes us great consternation.

There are also 29,000 wounded and 3,750 missing, many of whom are children.

As the UN Secretary-General rightly said, Gaza is becoming a children's graveyard.

In addition, at least 1.6 million people - around 70% of Gaza's population - have had to leave their homes, with no prospect of returning.

We are also perplexed that more than a hundred UN officials have already lost their lives.

When it chaired the United Nations Security Council in October, Brazil spared no effort in favor of dealing with the humanitarian emergency, containing the current escalation and resuming a lasting solution to the conflict.

We proposed a resolution that was supported by the majority of members, but which was unfortunately vetoed by one of the permanent members.

The Council's paralysis is yet another demonstration of the urgency of its reform.

It was only on November 15, more than 40 days after the start of the conflicts, that the Security Council finally approved a Resolution that focuses on one of the most essential objectives of all humanitarian action: the protection of children.

The challenge now is to ensure that the humanitarian truce established by the Resolution is implemented immediately.

Once again, the credibility of the United Nations is at stake.

Dear colleagues,

Two other issues deserve our attention.

The first is that we must act to prevent the war from spreading to neighboring countries.

The contribution of BRICS, in its new configuration, together with all the actors in favor of self-restraint and de-escalation is valuable and essential.

Brazil does not believe that peace can only be created by force of arms.

We have a long national experience that reinforces our faith in peace created by fair diplomatic negotiation.

Secondly, we must not forget that the current war also stems from decades of frustration and injustice, represented by the absence of a safe home for the Palestinian people.

It is essential to keep a close eye on the situation in the West Bank, where illegal Israeli settlements continue to threaten the viability of a Palestinian state.

The recognition of a viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel, with secure and mutually recognized borders, is the only possible solution.

We need to resume the peace process between Israel and Palestine as soon as possible.

The Arab Peace Initiative, presented by Saudi Arabia and adopted by the League of Arab States in 2002, seems to us to be an excellent starting point.

I am convinced of the potential of this group to mobilize political and diplomatic forces in favour of the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Brazil will continue to be ready to support all initiatives that lead to a political solution to this conflict.

I would like to end my speech with a special thank you to President Al-Sisi and other leaders for their support for the repatriation of 32 Brazilians and family members of Brazilians who asked us to help them leave the Gaza Strip.

Thank you very much.

We consider the initiative of the President of South Africa, as the current Chair of BRICS, to convene an extraordinary summit of our Association to discuss the acute situation in the Gaza Strip to be very timely.

The deaths of thousands of people, the mass expulsion of civilians and the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded are of the utmost concern. Just now, a colleague spoke of the deaths of a large number of children. That is terrible, but when you watch children being operated on without anesthesia, it certainly evokes special feelings. All these events are, in fact, a direct consequence of the United States' desire to monopolize the mediation functions in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and its blocking of the activities of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators.

History has thus clearly demonstrated the unviable and counterproductive nature of single-handed attempts to cut the "Palestinian knot". Because of the sabotage of UN decisions, which clearly provide for the establishment and peaceful coexistence of two independent and sovereign states - Israel and Palestine - more than one generation of Palestinians has been brought up in an atmosphere of injustice shown to their people, and Israelis cannot fully guarantee the security of their state.

Russia's position is consistent and non-conjectural. We call for a united effort by the international community to de-escalate the situation, bring about a ceasefire and find a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The BRICS countries and the countries of the region could play a key role in this work.

That is why it is particularly significant that our colleagues from the Middle Eastern countries, which received invitations to become full BRICS members this year, are participating in our meeting today. I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully acknowledge their efforts to normalize the situation. In particular, I am referring to the holding of the "Peace Summit" in Egypt and the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia.

It is indicative that all BRICS countries share similar positions on the need to collectively achieve a long-term and sustainable solution to the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli problem.

This was evident in the UN General Assembly vote on the draft resolution in favor of a humanitarian truce, as well as in the discussion of the UN Security Council resolution on the Middle East settlement adopted for the first time in seven years. Although this resolution only calls for a humanitarian pause, and not a full-fledged ceasefire, the very fact that it was approved is considered a step in the right direction.

I emphasize that such humanitarian pauses, and preferably, of course, a full-fledged ceasefire, are necessary to continue efforts to free hostages and evacuate civilians and foreign nationals from the Gaza Strip. I cannot but express once again my great gratitude to President [Egyptian President Abdelfattah] Sisi and all Egyptian colleagues for their help in resolving many difficult issues related to ensuring the reception and sending home of Russians who have escaped the conflict zone.

And of course, by and large, the most urgent task is to achieve a truly long-term and sustainable ceasefire. It is important, I agree with my Brazilian colleague, to prevent other States from being drawn into the war in the Middle East and any expansion of the geography of the conflict, as well as to preserve the fragile inter-confessional peace.

In this regard, we consider it extremely useful to continue discussing within the BRICS framework the further development of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation. If there are no objections, distinguished colleagues, we will initiate possible contacts, including via video link, on this issue during the upcoming Russian Chairmanship of the BRICS next year.

In general, the new format of emergency online meetings of leaders proposed by [South African] President Cyril Ramaphosa seems very promising. And this applies not only to the Middle East settlement, but also to other pressing issues on the global and regional agenda.

Thank you for your attention.

Colleagues,

This is our first summit since the expansion of BRICS. Before I speak about the issue of our discussion, I wish to extend a warm welcome to leaders of new BRICS members and express my thanks to President Ramaphosa and the South African government for your efforts that have made our meeting possible. Given the current circumstances, it is very timely and very important that we meet and speak up for justice and for peace on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.

The conflict in Gaza is raging on into its second month. China is gravely concerned that the conflict is causing enormous civilian casualties and a humanitarian disaster, and tends to expand and spill over. China believes that the following is urgent and imperative: First, the parties to the conflict must end hostilities and achieve a ceasefire immediately, stop all violence and attacks against civilians, release civilians held captive, and act to prevent loss of more lives and spare people from more miseries. Second, humanitarian corridors must be kept secure and unimpeded, and more humanitarian assistance should be provided to the population in Gaza. The collective punishment of people in Gaza in the form of forced transfer or water, electricity and fuel deprivation must stop. Third, the international community must act with practical measures to prevent the conflict from spilling over and endangering stability in the Middle East as a whole. China supports the resolution adopted at the emergency special session of the U.N. General Assembly on October 27. The U.N. Security Council under China's presidency has adopted Resolution 2712. All the parties must act to deliver on these resolutions through concrete measures on the ground.

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. I have emphasized on many occasions that the only viable way to break the cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the two-state solution, in the restoration of the legitimate national rights of Palestine, and in the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. There can be no sustainable peace and security in the Middle East without a just solution to the question of Palestine. China calls for early convening of an international peace conference that is more authoritative to build international consensus for peace and work toward an early solution to the question of Palestine that is comprehensive, just and sustainable.

Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has been working actively to promote peace talks and a ceasefire. China has provided humanitarian assistance to help ease the humanitarian plight in Gaza. This includes USD 2 million of emergency humanitarian assistance provided through the Palestinian National Authority and U.N. agencies, and emergency humanitarian supplies worth RMB 15 million, such as food and medicine, to the Gaza Strip with the help of Egypt. China will provide more supplies and assistance according to the needs of the people in Gaza. At the U.N. Security Council, China has acted in its capacity as president to facilitate the adoption of the resolution, which calls for extended humanitarian pauses and corridors, the protection of civilians, and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Colleagues,

The BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important platform for emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and safeguard common interests. Our meeting today to coordinate positions and actions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict marks a good start for greater BRICS cooperation following its enlargement. China commends South Africa for its significant contribution as BRICS chair to advancing BRICS development. As Russia will take over BRICS chairmanship next year, China stands ready to work with other members to jointly support Russia's work as the chair and usher in a new era for BRICS cooperation.

Thank you.

Your Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa,

President of the Republic of South Africa

Your Excellencies, Leaders of the BRICS countries

Allow me at the outset to express appreciation for the invitation to this crucial meeting and extend sincere gratitude for the decision by the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg to invite Egypt to join the grouping; an invitation that was welcomed by my country. I am confident that it will empower us to foster closer cooperation and joint coordination based on the principles of solidarity, mutual respect and respect for international law.

Our summit comes at a critical juncture, as the Palestinian people are witnessing a continuous escalation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank that has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, two-thirds of them women and children. The entire sector endured indiscriminate retribution, siege and deprivation of sustenance as well as coerced displacement efforts. These appalling humanitarian scenes came to expose the inability of the international community and the inertia of human conscience.

Your Excellencies,

Egypt has welcomed international efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire and protecting civilians in the Gaza Strip, primarily UN Security Council Resolution 2712, which calls for reaching an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors stretched across the sector. Egypt is calling on the international community, in this regard, to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with the implementation of this resolution.

Egypt has opposed and condemned the killing of civilians from all sides, and at the same time it denounces, in the strongest terms, the targeting of civilians and civilian facilities, particularly hospitals. Egypt emphasizes that the international community bears humanitarian and political responsibility to save civilians in Gaza and to end these inhumane practices that render life and living in Gaza impossible, forcing people to abandon their homes and lands.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Egypt is exerting tireless and unwavering efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza. It has opened the Rafah border crossing since the very first moment to allow humanitarian aid and relief to enter into the sector. It has designated Al Arish airport to receive aid from world countries.

But the mechanisms placed by the Israeli authorities have obstructed the delivery of aid to its beneficiaries. Therefore, the aid entering Gaza is much less than the needs of its people. This requires the international community to ensure the delivery of aid in the adequate quantities for the sustainability of the people of Gaza.

Egypt has been opposed to pressure exercised on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and stands against attempts to force them to leave their land and homes, whether individually or collectively. Egypt also stands against any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinians, inside or outside Gaza, especially that Palestinians leaving their land is a grave violation of international law and international humanitarian law. Also, the proposals of Israel reoccupying the Gaza Strip only make the situation worse and more complicated.

The international community stands silent before the unjustified violence by settlers against the Palestinians in the West Bank and the daily military incursions by the Israeli army in the West Bank, which are all unacceptable policies that contribute to igniting the region and increasing areas of tension in it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Egyptian priorities are currently to stop the bloodshed through an immediate ceasefire, deliver humanitarian aid safely and sustainably, and avoid targeting civilians and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip. We stress the need to resolve the roots of the conflict and deal with the Palestinian issue from a comprehensive and integrated perspective that guarantees the rights of the Palestinians to establish their independent state, along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Thank you

Mr President;

Esteemed BRICS Members;

At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank the honourable President of the Republic of South Africa who organised this online meeting and established communication between the countries.

Today, we have gathered while the world is witnessing live the unprecedented violence and crime against the Palestinian nation in Gaza. What is happening in Gaza these days clearly shows the injustice of the Western international system. The issue of Gaza is the issue of humanity and justice. The Zionist regime and its supporters have not only violated humanity, ethics and rights, but they are also trying to deceive the public opinion of the world by suppressing valid information and spreading disinformation.

Emphasising on October 7 as the beginning of the war is a distortion of the reality and narrative of the issue from the umpteenth step. Apart from the 75-year history of occupation and terror and aggression, there were also numerous conflicts in the West Bank in the last one year. In this one year, Palestinian resistance has given about 200 martyrs. Did anyone have a missile there? The goal of the regime was to clear the Bank and transfer its population to Jordan and Egypt and occupy it. In fact, Hamas operated in defence of the Noble Quds and the West Bank and the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and against the expansion of settlements and expansionism of the Zionists.

Let's not forget that the root of war lies in the continuation of occupation. Contrary to Israel's propaganda distortion, legitimate defence is not their barbaric action, but legitimate defence according to international conventions of defence against occupation.

As an occupying regime, the Zionist regime, with the green light and full support of America, has declared war against the people under occupation and has set a record in registering war crimes. The political and military leaders of this regime openly talk about the genocide of Palestinians.

The President of the fake Israeli regime has announced that "there are no innocent civilians in Gaza"; The prime minister of the regime says "even children are legitimate military targets"; The spokesperson of the regime's army says "the goal of the attacks is maximum destruction, not precision in the attacks"; The Minister of Defence of the Regime calls people as "anthropomorphic animals"; And the minister of cultural heritage of that fake regime says "a nuclear attack on Gaza is the right option to destroy the people there".

Such a regime, which is armed with all kinds of chemical weapons of mass destruction and atomic bombs, is definitely a threat to regional and international peace and security.

Dear Heads of State

Worst of all is the all-out support of America and the West for the genocide and infanticide of Palestinians, and so far more than 14,000 people of Gaza, including about 5,500 oppressed children, have been killed and 41,000 residential units have been destroyed. 60% of the area of the ​​Gaza Strip has been seriously damaged. How cruel is it that America, Britain, Germany and France, as Western powers, send all kinds of weapons and bombs to Israel on a daily basis and at the same time oppose the ceasefire. America, along with Israel, has closed all ways to help the people of Gaza and paralyzed the UN Security Council.

Today, the West has been disgraced and the falsity of Western values ​​and slogans has been revealed. Gaza is a symbol of the moral decline of the West.

At the same time, Gaza is a great test of the will of independent states to establish an international system based on humanity and justice. Today is the day for global powers to stand up for the values ​​that united us. Today is the day for BRICS to play a role.

Dear Heads of State!

Undoubtedly, the fuel of the war machine and the all-round support of this tyranny is provided by America. America has made all international organisations ineffective and identity-less. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on all the members of BRICS and all the independent governments of the world to stand up to preserve humanity and establish justice and fight against racial discrimination in the world and use all their political and economic power to put pressure on the Zionist regime and its Western supporters.

Honourable Heads of BRICS Member States

America and the western countries that oppose the ceasefire in Gaza no longer have credibility with the people of the world. Today, the BRICS member states have a historical responsibility to prove that human values ​​cannot be sacrificed for political interests. Based on this, I would like to emphasise these suggestions to stop the crime and help the people of Gaza.

1- Considering the inability of the UN Security Council to implement its mission to establish peace and security; and obstructing the US to issue a binding resolution for a ceasefire; It is necessary for the BRICS member countries to adopt a binding resolution in the UN General Assembly against the Zionist regime in the framework of the "Union for Peace" mechanism, with the aim of stopping the crimes against the people of Gaza.

2- The continuous attacks of the Zionist regime on hospitals and medical centres, religious places, the killing of women and children, doctors, nurses and journalists in Gaza are all acts of terrorism. It is necessary to identify that fake regime as a terrorist regime and its army as a terrorist organisation.

3- The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the actions of some governments to bring the crimes committed by the usurping Israel in Gaza to the International Criminal Court and believes that, in addition to Israel, the United States should also be tried in international courts for crimes against humanity, genocide, and infanticide and punished quickly.

4- The need for collective action by BRICS members to break the blockade of Gaza and create a permanent and safe route for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. In this regard, the permanent reopening of the Rafah crossing is seriously emphasised.

5- Due to the unprecedented crimes and bombings of several thousand tons of weapons, especially prohibited weapons such as white phosphorus in Gaza, it is necessary for BRICS members to establish a special international mission to immediately investigate this crime and publish its report in order to punish the perpetrators of this regime should be provided.

6- Considering the continuous crimes and the racist nature of the fake Israeli regime, the free nations expect all governments, especially the BRICS members, to put the complete severance of their political, economic and military relations with the Zionist regime on the agenda immediately. Continuing interactions with the fake Israeli regime, especially in the military and economic fields, means helping to continue the crimes and killing of women and children, which is condemned and blamed by all nations.

7- Recognising the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves and their struggle to liberate the occupied areas is supported by all governments and free nations. BRICS' firm support for this right shows that we fulfilled our human and moral duty and the enemies of Palestine will be disgraced before human conscience and history.

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the final solution that will lead to lasting peace and stability in West Asia and the world is the formation of a single Palestinian state after holding a referendum based on the democratic principle of "Every Palestinian, one vote". Being on the path of previous failed plans for peace will only result in the repetition of war and insecurity.

America and the Zionist regime must also know that they cannot stand against the will of the nations and that occupation and genocide will have no place in the new international just order.

At the end, I once again thank the honourable President of the Republic of South Africa for holding this meeting and I hope that this meeting will have a serious effect on the immediate cessation of attacks on the oppressed and powerful Gaza and the arrival of humanitarian aid and the complete lifting of the blockade and the fight against forced migration and the start of the reconstruction process in this be the region.

Thank you very much

Peace be upon you and may God have mercy on you

We would like to thank the president of the Republic of South Africa for hosting the summit and for inviting the Kingdom to participate in it.

The brutal crimes against innocent civilians and the destruction of infrastructure, including health facilities and places of worship, in Gaza require a collective effort to stop this humanitarian catastrophe, which continues to worsen by the day, and to come up with decisive solutions to it. We reiterate our categorical rejection of these operations that have claimed the lives of thousands of children, women and elderly. We demand an immediate stop of the military operations, and the provision of humanitarian corridors to enable international humanitarian organizations to perform their role and aid civilians.

The Kingdom has exerted relentless efforts, since the beginning of the operations, to help and protect civilians in Gaza Strip, by providing humanitarian and relief aid by air and sea, and launching an urgent fundraising campaign that has collected, so far, over half a billion SAR.

The Kingdom also held an extraordinary joint Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh, on November 11, 2023, to discuss the Israeli aggression.

The summit came up with several decisions. It denounced the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and rejected any pretext justifying it, calling for an immediate delivery of humanitarian aid convoys of food, medicines and fuel into the besieged strip. It also rejected the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people and the Israeli destruction of hospitals in the strip, urging all countries to stop exporting weapons and ammunition to Israel, and embark on an effort, in the name of all members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League, to reach an international stance regarding the aggression on Gaza, and make a pressure for the launch of a serious political process to realize a permanent, comprehensive peace, based on international legitimacy.

The Kingdom's firm and unaltered stance has always been and remains that security and stability in Palestine can be achieved only through implementing international resolutions pertaining to the two-state solution, in order to enable the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate right to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

We also appreciate all efforts, which will be exerted, in particular by the permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the aim of achieving a just peace for all. We also commend the role and effort exerted by BRICS to assist the brotherly Palestinian people.

We extend our thanks to His Excellency the president and the attending leaders. We hope that this summit will achieve the noble goals for which it was convened. Thank you.

In a statement issued at the summit, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza and stressed the need to ensure the safe, secure, prompt, and regular delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. His Highness called for an urgent end to hostilities, warning that allowing the fighting to continue will result in further casualties and an increased risk of the conflict spilling over to threaten regional stability.

His Highness noted that the only way to address the crisis is to revive the peace process and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the two-State solution and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The UAE President called on the BRICS members and other nations to seek to create an environment of enduring peace in the Middle East, and to pursue all efforts to ensure that dialogue and peaceful coexistence become a path to stability in the region.