BRICS Unites Against Israel's Gaza Offensive, Sending a Message to the West

Leaders of the BRICS grouping, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, condemned Israel's war on Gaza and called for an end to hostilities on both sides to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis. The group denounced attacks on civilians and the forced displacement of Palestinians as "war crimes" and violations of international humanitarian law. The virtual summit, which included additional countries set to join BRICS in 2024, highlighted growing calls from the Global South to end the conflict. While some countries took a more combative stance, the meeting reflected the growing assertiveness and confidence of the BRICS grouping. South Africa, in particular, has been vocal in calling for a ceasefire and has taken steps such as shutting down the Israeli embassy and submitting a referral to the International Criminal Court. However, the coalition's political weight may not have a significant impact on the direction of Israel's war, but their leverage is growing as more nations seek to join BRICS and reduce dependence on the Western financial system.