BRICS leaders discuss war in Gaza

Leaders from Russia, China, and other countries that make up the BRICS bloc on Tuesday expressed their support for a ceasefire in Gaza, along with the release of all hostages. Those leaders failed to issue a joint declaration at the BRICS meeting, however. Russian President Vladimir Putin applauded a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for humanitarian pauses but called for a more permanent peaceful solution. Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested that a two-state solution would bring lasting peace to the region. BRICS is a coalition of countries, including India, China, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa.

What did other BRICS countries have to say? South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday criticized Israel for enacting what he called a “collective punishment” on Palestinians. He called Israel’s actions in Gaza “tantamount to genocide.” He added, however, that Hamas had violated international law by taking hostages and by its attack on Israel. Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa. South Africa had already withdrawn its ambassadors to Israel and on Tuesday voted to close Israel’s embassy in South Africa.

Dig deeper: Listen to Nick Eicher and Mary Reichard’s discussion with Hussain Abdul-Hussain on The World and Everything in It podcast about how not all Arabs support Hamas.