Israel criticized the draft summary for the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil. Officials called it “unbalanced” and “biased” against the nation. They demanded the inclusion of Israel’s right to defend itself in the final statement.
Gideon Sa’ar’s Response
Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar raised the issue on X. He said he had discussions with foreign ministers from G20 nations over the weekend.
Sa’ar wrote, “Ahead of this week’s G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, I held phone conversations over the weekend with foreign ministers of countries participating in the forum. This was in light of information we received regarding a draft of a summary resolution that is both unbalanced and biased against Israel.”
He stressed the need to amend the statement. He highlighted key issues that the draft failed to address.
Israel’s Key Demands
Sa’ar outlined Israel’s expectations for the G20 resolution:
- Recognize Israel’s right to defend itself.
- Demand Hamas release hostages held for over 400 days.
- Condemn Hamas and Hezbollah for their actions.
He warned of consequences if these points were ignored. Sa’ar stated, “Any such statement that fails to address these elements will harm peace and security and only serve to encourage Iran and its proxies to continue to spread instability throughout the Middle East.”
G20 Summit Details
The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18–19, 2024. Leaders from 19 member countries, along with the African Union and the European Union, will participate.
Escalation of Conflict
Israel continued its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah. On Saturday, Israeli fighter jets destroyed five buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The strikes targeted munitions depots, a headquarters, and other Hezbollah infrastructure near the Tayouneh intersection.
Lebanese officials are reviewing a ceasefire proposal from the United States. However, the situation remains tense as violence persists.
Conflict Background
The Israel-Gaza conflict escalated after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks. Shortly after, Hezbollah began launching daily rocket and drone strikes on northern Israel. Over 68,000 residents from the region have fled their homes. Hezbollah leaders have stated they will continue these attacks to prevent Israelis from returning.
Israel’s demands for the G20 Summit emphasize its security concerns. The ongoing conflict and rising tensions further highlight the urgent need for balanced international actions.
