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.