Lula criticizes the "hypocrisy of those who remain silent" in the face of the Palestinian genocide.

247 - In a joint statement to the press this Wednesday (9), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) harshly criticized the omission of countries and institutions in the face of the atrocities committed against the Palestinian population. The statement was made during the official reception for the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, in Brasília. According to Lula, "we have never been afraid to point out the hypocrisy of those who remain silent in the face of the most flagrant violations of our time". Coverage by Agência Brasil.

Solidarity with Palestine and defense of the UN During the press conference, Lula reiterated Brazil's support for the recognition of the Palestinian State and its full membership in the United Nations, stating that this step is essential to enabling a two-state solution. He highlighted the convergence between Brazil and Indonesia in denouncing the violations in Gaza: "Our countries have also tirelessly denounced the atrocities committed against the Palestinian population in Gaza."

Indonesia's entry into BRICS and criticism of the use of force. Commenting on Indonesia's recent entry into BRICS, the Brazilian president celebrated the historical affinity between the two countries: "Welcoming Indonesia to BRICS was like opening the door of my home to a long-time friend," said Lula. He also praised the criticism made by Prabowo during the bloc's Summit, when the Indonesian leader condemned the subordination of international law to the use of force. For Lula, "the defense of multilateralism is more necessary today than at any other time."

Lula also reinforced his support for Indonesia's accession to the New Development Bank (NDB), better known as the BRICS Bank, highlighting its role in financing projects in the Global South.

Cooperation for peace and sustainable solutions The president stated that Brazil and Indonesia "are important voices in favor of peace" and recalled that both countries advocate dialogue as the only way to end the war in Ukraine. He also thanked Indonesia for its participation in the Friends of Peace group, a joint initiative with China.

In the economic and environmental sphere, Lula highlighted the advances in bilateral trade — which reached its highest historical level in 2024 — and advocated for an alliance for the sustainable development of bioenergy. According to him, "it is possible to produce bioenergy sustainably, but the definition of standards must be done in a multilateral sphere, and not unilaterally by some countries or blocs."

The discussion also touched upon Brazil's interest in deepening exchanges on strategic minerals, with Lula highlighting the local incentives promoted by the Indonesian government as a benchmark.

Democracy, diversity and the fight against inequality. In highlighting the historical ties and shared values ​​between Brazil and Indonesia, Lula mentioned the fact that both countries are "two of the world's largest democracies, formed by multi-ethnic societies forged in tolerance and respect for differences." The president also emphasized their shared commitment to combating hunger, poverty, and climate change.

Finally, Lula expressed his desire to facilitate trade in Brazilian beef with Indonesia, as a way to contribute to the food security of the Asian country.

Read the full text of President Lula's statement:

"It is a great pleasure to welcome President Prabowo Subianto to Brasilia, after participating alongside him in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro."

Welcoming Indonesia as a member of BRICS was like opening the doors of one's home to a long-time friend.

We are two of the world's largest democracies, formed by multi-ethnic societies, forged in tolerance and respect for differences.

We possess a rich natural heritage and a large part of the planet's biodiversity.

Seventy years ago, at the Bandung Conference, Indonesia was already raising the banner of the struggle for a more just international order.

I listened attentively when President Prabowo criticized, at the BRICS Summit, the fact that international law is being subjugated by force.

Therefore, defending multilateralism is more necessary today than at any other time.

Brazil supports Indonesia's entry into the New Development Bank of the BRICS, which has filled important financing gaps in the Global South.

We are both important voices in favor of peace.

Like Brazil, Indonesia has always maintained that dialogue is the only way out of the war in Ukraine. 

I thanked President Prabowo for Indonesia's participation in the Friends of Peace Group proposed by Brazil and China.

Our countries have also tirelessly denounced the atrocities committed against the Palestinian population in Gaza.

We have never been afraid to point out the hypocrisy of those who remain silent in the face of the most blatant violations of our time.

Recognizing the Palestinian state and allowing its admission as a full member of the UN is to guarantee the symmetry necessary to enable the two-state solution.

The affinities between Indonesia and Brazil are also expressed in their approach to two current challenges: the fight against hunger and poverty and addressing climate change.

The “Free Nutritious Meal” program, a campaign promise of President Prabowo launched this year, is one of the world’s largest school feeding initiatives, aiming to reach 83 million beneficiaries by 2029.

The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, created by the Brazilian presidency of the G20, will contribute to transforming this plan into reality.  

I offered President Prabowo the Brazilian experience of the National School Feeding Program, the PNAE, a world reference on the subject.

Our countries are home to two of the largest tropical river basins on the planet, the Amazon and the Borneo.

Indonesia is with us in the "United for Our Forests" group, launched in 2023 at the Amazon Summit, to demand greater environmental funding.

We are working together to launch the Forever Rainforests Fund at COP30, which will reward developing countries that keep their forests standing.

We are also among the world's largest producers of bioenergy.

Together, we can create a global biofuels market that will contribute to decarbonizing the maritime and aviation sectors.

It is possible to produce bioenergy sustainably.

But the definition of sustainability standards should be done in a multilateral sphere, and not unilaterally imposed by some countries or blocs.

Brazil and Indonesia oppose arbitrary classifications that unbalance trade and deepen asymmetries between developed and developing nations.

I expressed to President Prabowo Brazil's interest in deepening the dialogue on strategic minerals.

Brazil can draw inspiration from the Indonesian example, especially regarding incentives for the processing of these resources to occur locally.

Last year, we achieved the highest volume of bilateral trade in our history.

Indonesia is already the fifth largest destination for Brazilian agribusiness products.

We want to facilitate the trade of Brazilian beef, which can contribute to the food security of the Indonesian people.

We discussed diversifying our trade, including in the areas of civil aviation and defense products.

Closer ties between the Southern Cone and Southeast Asia would be beneficial for global trade.    

I thanked President Prabowo for his continued support in strengthening relations between Brazil and ASEAN.

ASEAN is a bloc of 680 million inhabitants and has experienced accelerated economic growth and rapid technological evolution.

Its combined GDP is $4 trillion, making it the fourth largest economy in the world, behind the United States, China, and Japan.

I hope to consolidate these ties at the group's next summit in October in Malaysia.

The Brazilian presidency of MERCOSUR will resume talks with its partners regarding the signing of an agreement with Indonesia.

The interest of Brazilians in Indonesia and of Indonesians in Brazil is already very positive.

We hope to sign an Educational Cooperation Agreement soon, which will allow for greater student mobility between our countries.

The relationship between Brazil and Indonesia proves that the harmony between two countries is more important than the distance that separates us.

This visit renews the strategic partnership we established in 2008 and lays the groundwork for an even closer and more robust relationship.

I extend my sincere gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto, the government, and the people of Indonesia, with the expectation that we may meet again soon in Jakarta.

"Terima kasih" (Thank you very much).