Don't fund Israel's genocide, Ramaphosa tells Brics

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his opening address at the Brics summit in Kazan yesterday, called on "the countries of the world to not fund or facilitate Israel's genocidal actions".

"As the world bears witness to the continued plight of the Palestinian people, South Africa is compelled to emulate that spirit of solidarity," Ramaphosa said.

"As a country, we understand the value of global support for a people's right to self-determination and statehood.

"We are gravely concerned at the further escalation of a conflict that has already caused so much death and destruction.

"The International Court of Justice has made it clear that the international community has a duty to prevent genocide by Israel," Ramaphosa said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin touted the creation of a new "multipolar world order" at the summit, a gathering of world leaders he hopes will show that Western attempts to isolate Moscow over its Ukraine offensive have failed.

The meeting in Kazan is the largest diplomatic forum in Russia since Putin ordered troops into Ukraine in 2022, triggering a barrage of Western sanctions.