Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has launched a scathing critique of U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic initiative, the "Peace Council" for Gaza. Speaking at an event for the Landless Rural Workers' Movement, Lula accused Trump of attempting to bypass established international institutions to create a new global order under his personal control.
"Instead of reforming the United Nations, President Trump is proposing the creation of a new UN that he alone would own," Lula told the crowd, signaling a deepening rift between the two leaders over the future of global governance.
The Brazilian President’s remarks come in response to Trump’s recent signing of the Peace Council charter during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump described the council as an elite body of world leaders dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza and the enforcement of a permanent ceasefire. While 19 nations—including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Argentina—have signed the charter, Lula remains a prominent holdout, championing "multilateralism" over what he calls "the law of the strongest."
A Push for Multilateralism
Lula revealed that he has intensified diplomatic efforts with leaders from Russia, China, India, Hungary, and Mexico to build a unified response against unilateralism. He warned that the world is facing a "critical political moment" where the UN Charter is being threatened by individual national interests.
"We are seeking an international meeting to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism," Lula stated. "We cannot allow the power of weapons and intolerance to dictate the global stage."
Developments in Gaza
As the diplomatic row intensifies, practical steps on the ground continue. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the reopening of the Rafah border crossing. The crossing is vital for humanitarian aid and the eventual reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
While Trump maintains that his administration has secured a fragile peace, critics like Lula argue that the new Peace Council undermines the authority of the UN and its agencies. This tension was further highlighted by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who recently condemned the demolition of UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem, calling it a "systematic attack" on international law.
As nations like Egypt signal their support for the Peace Council’s second phase, the world remains divided between Trump’s "Peace through Strength" approach and Lula’s call for a return to traditional collective diplomacy.
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