“We reaffirm our support for the State of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations in the context of the unwavering commitment to the two-state solution [… which] includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized 1967 borders,” the document reads, in reference to the year in which Tel Aviv took control of the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. Israel rejects the two-state solution.
Despite being a member of the BRICS, Iran expressed a different stance. The Iranian foreign minister called the two-state solution “unrealistic” and defended a one-state solution for Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains that a fair solution to resolve the Palestinian issue is through holding a referendum with the participation of all main residents of Palestine—including Jews, Christians, and Muslims,” said Iranian Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
The Iranian foreign minister said that Palestine should follow the path taken by South Africa.
“The apartheid regime in South Africa was stabilized through a referendum and democracy—not by dividing South Africa into two parts, white and black. The apartheid regime in South Africa was overthrown by the struggle of black people. No one recommended the idea of two states,” he argued.
Occupied territories
In the official document of the Rio Summit, published Sunday (Jul. 6), the BRICS defended Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—Palestinian territories occupied by the Israelis since 1967. The group also calls for the release of hostages held “contrary to international law.”
The document cites “deep concern” at the resumption of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza and the obstruction of food aid, and condemns the use of hunger as warfare.
“We exhort the parties to engage in good faith in further negotiations to achieve an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire; the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and all other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory; the release of all hostages and detainees held in violation of international law; and sustained and unhindered access and delivery of humanitarian aid,” the declaration reads.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in the US on Sunday to discuss the future of the war in Gaza with President Donald Trump. Both have advocated the mass emigration of Palestinians from the territory. Trump has even proposed that the US take control of the enclave. The BRICS countries rejected this proposal.
“We express our firm opposition to the forced displacement, temporary or permanent, under any pretext, of any of the Palestinian population from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as any geographic or demographic changes to the territory of the Gaza Strip,” the text says.
As the war in Gaza continues, Israel is increasing forced displacement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories considered Palestinian under international law. An estimated 40 thousand Palestinians have been expelled from their homes in the West Bank in recent months, the largest military operation in the Palestinian region in 20 years.
In the final declaration, the BRICS stressed that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory. “We underline, in this regard, the importance of unifying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration reports.
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