The Chair's Summary of the Extraordinary Joint Meeting of BRICS Leaders and Leaders of the invited BRICS Members on the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to Gaza

21 November 2023

1. We, Leaders and representatives of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa met with Leaders of the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 21 November 2023 to exchange views on the current situation in Gaza and other Palestinian Occupied Territories as well as its spillover effects.

2. We recalled our national positions concerning the situation in Gaza as expressed in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Concerns were expressed at the latest escalation of violence since the 7 October 2023 attack and the grave deterioration of the situation in the region, in particular the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel.

3. Acts of violence aimed at Palestinian and Israeli civilians were condemned, including war crimes, indiscriminate attacks and targeting of civilian infrastructure, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement, and destruction. We emphasised that civilians must be protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The Chair joined calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive, demanding that their safety, and well-being are guaranteed, and that humane treatment is accorded to them in compliance with international law. We stressed the need to pursue accountability. We must ensure that independent and transparent investigations are conducted in accordance with international standards.

4. We condemned any kind of individual or mass forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians from their own land. Many Leaders reiterated that the forced transfer and deportation of Palestinians, whether inside Gaza or to neighbouring countries, constitute grave breaches of the Geneva conventions and war crimes and violations under International Humanitarian Law.

5. We expressed our deep concern at the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We reiterated the need for full respect of international humanitarian law and the need for full, immediate, safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access and the provision of aid in accordance with the basic principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence established in UNGA resolution 46/182.

6. We reiterated our commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultations in a coordinated and cooperative manner and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises.

7. We called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.

8. We reiterated our strong support for regional and international efforts aimed at achieving an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensuring the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid.

9. We reaffirmed our commitment to the basic principle that peace and security in the Middle East should be achieved and sustained in accordance with, and in full respect for, international law and the United Nations Charter. We reaffirmed the primary role of the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security. We joined other global leaders in welcoming the adoption of UNSC resolution 2712 on 15 November 2023 under China's UNSC Presidency and called for its full implementation.

10. We acknowledged the important role played by relevant international and regional organisations, including the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, in addressing threats to peace and security in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. We welcomed the briefing by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the outcomes of the Joint Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on 11 November 2023. We also welcome the efforts led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in hosting the Cairo Peace Summit.

11. We emphasised the importance of preventing further destabilisation and escalation of violence, including the spill over of the conflict in the region and called upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and, upon all those with influence on them, to work toward this objective.

12. We reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means. The Chair joined calls for the international community to support direct negotiations based on international law including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, towards a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine.

Issued by DIRCO, 23 November 2023