World leaders condemn ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
2 Jun 2025 01:26

Global condemnation of the Israeli war on Gaza intensifies as Brazil, Chile, Italian authorities, and former Swiss diplomats denounce the genocide and urge immediate international action to halt Israeli atrocities.

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Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Palestine, June 1, 2025. (AP)

A wave of international voices is denouncing the Israeli war on Gaza, with leaders, diplomats, and regional governments condemning the ongoing massacres and calling for decisive action to halt the bloodshed.

Brazil: Lula denounces genocide in Gaza

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva strongly condemned the Israeli occupation's ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip, describing it as genocide and an act of “revenge.”

Speaking at the Brazilian Socialist Party’s national convention on Sunday, Lula stressed that the assault on Gaza “is not a war between two armies,” but rather “a professional army killing women and children.”

He reiterated: “This is not a war. It’s genocide.”

He also highlighted growing global rejection of Israeli policies, stating, “Even Jews do not want this war,” and condemned the ongoing construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Italy: Regional governments cut ties with 'Israel'

Italy is witnessing mounting dissent over its government’s position on Gaza, with regional authorities now moving to sever ties with the Israeli regime.

The region of Emilia-Romagna announced it would suspend all relations with Israeli government representatives, unless they explicitly commit to halting the massacres and respecting international law. Regional President Michele De Pascale also backed the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

“The violence must stop,” he said. “Each of us is called to do what we can to contribute to ending the bloodshed.”

The southern region of Puglia also confirmed it had cut economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties with Tel Aviv. Puglia’s governor, Michele Emiliano, described the Israeli campaign as “genocide of the defenceless.”

Although Italy’s national leadership under Giorgia Meloni remains a vocal supporter of "Israel", growing numbers of politicians are shifting their positions. Last week, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani joined counterparts from several Western countries in calling for an end to Israeli atrocities and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Chile: President Boric aims to cut defense ties with 'Israel'

Meanwhile, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric announced a significant shift in defense policy, declaring his intention to cut military ties with the Israeli regime over the “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.

In his annual State of the Nation address, Boric said he had instructed his defense minister to draw up a plan to end reliance on Israeli arms and defense systems. He also expressed Chile’s support for Spain’s proposed arms embargo against the Israeli occupation.

Boric reiterated his condemnation of what he described as violence targeting civilians on all sides, including a call for the release of Israeli captives. However, he maintained that the priority must be to end the occupation and halt the mass killing of Palestinians.

Switzerland: Former diplomats condemn government’s silence

Fifty-six former Swiss diplomats issued a scathing public letter condemning their government’s “shocking silence and inaction” over Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Addressed to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, the diplomats demanded that Switzerland reject Israeli plans to forcibly expel civilians from Gaza and reoccupy the territory, describing such policies as “ethnic cleansing and genocide.”

They also criticized Switzerland’s cooperation with the US-backed “Gaza humanitarian foundation,” arguing that it violates UN principles of neutrality, transparency, and independence.

The letter underscores growing unease within Switzerland’s diplomatic community over Bern’s failure to uphold its supposed long-standing role as a defender of international law and humanitarian norms.