Lula criticises Israel during Paris visit, as German FM voices rare criticism of onslaught in Gaza and West Bank settlements.
During a visit to Paris, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “premeditated genocide,” highlighting the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the blockade, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties. He criticized the Israeli government’s offensive, which has reportedly killed over 54,000 Palestinians, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged increased humanitarian aid and expressed concern over new settlements in the West Bank, jeopardizing the two-state solution. Additionally, Jordan’s King Abdullah praised Spain for recognizing Palestine and called for European support to rebuild Gaza.