BRICS has declared Gaza, illegally controlled by Israel since 1967, an “inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

 

The intergovernmental organisation, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as full members since 2009.

 

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the bloc stressed the need to unify the West Bank and Gaza under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

 

The declaration reaffirmed “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”, including the right to their independent State of Palestine.

 

Expressing “grave concern” over Israel’s committing a genocide against Palestinians and the blocking of humanitarian aid in Gaza, the bloc condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

 

The statement said, “We urge 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 BRICS countries emphasised that Palestinians must play a central role in the reconstruction of Palestine and expressed opposition to any policy that would lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians or any demographic changes in the region.

 

The bloc further expressed its support for the full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations and its “unwavering commitment” to a two-state solution.

 

Since October 2023, Israel has intensified its attacks on civilians in Gaza under a genocide against Palestinians, resulting in over 57,400 deaths, most of them women and children

 

BRICS condemns attacks on Iran

 

The bloc also condemned last month's attacks on Iran, calling military strikes against Iran a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

 

“We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 13, 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and express grave concern over the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East,” the joint declaration read.

 

On June 13, Israel carried out illegal strikes in Iran’s cities, killing its top commander, nuclear scientist and civilians.

 

Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, and the conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on June 24.

 

BRICS held its first summit in 2009. The member states are reportedly responsible for 26 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).