BRICS Delhi Declaration Backs Sovereign Palestinian State, Calls For 1967 Borders

New Delhi: The New Delhi Declaration, adopted by BRICS countries by consensus, reaffirmed the bloc’s support for a lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for stronger international support for Palestine. The declaration said a lasting solution can only be achieved through peaceful means and by protecting the rights of the Palestinian people.

“We reaffirm that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return,” the declaration said.

BRICS also backed Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations and called for the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognised 1967 borders”, including Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The bloc said this would help achieve “the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security.”

BRICS strongly opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and rejected any geographic or demographic changes to Gaza.

“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 declaration said.

The grouping also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, to be respected.

“We reiterate our grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the declaration said.

It condemned violations including “the use of starvation as a method of warfare, attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and other civilian infrastructure, as well as the unlawful obstruction of humanitarian access.”

BRICS also reaffirmed its “steadfast support” for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), while opposing attempts to politicise or militarise humanitarian aid.

The declaration further called on all parties to follow international law, exercise “utmost restraint” and avoid actions or statements that could escalate tensions.

It also referred to provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case brought by South Africa against Israel, including measures that “reaffirmed Israel’s legal obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

On Jerusalem, BRICS rejected unilateral steps aimed at changing the legal and historical status of the city and called for respect for all religious sites and the right of people to practise their faith without hindrance.

The Palestine-related provisions are part of the wider geopolitical issues addressed in the New Delhi Declaration during the BRICS Summit hosted by India.