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Despite Brazil’s formal condemnation of Israel, little has been done in practice to halt the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.
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Amid the ongoing devastation in the Gaza Strip and the intensification of military occupation in the West Bank, a recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Council has brought to light an alarming fact: several international companies — including Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras — are allegedly contributing, directly or indirectly, to the conflict by supplying strategic resources to Israel’s war machine. This raises serious questions about the role of state-owned corporations and their ethical responsibilities in the face of global humanitarian crises.
According to the investigation led by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, Brazilian oil is among the resources used by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Although oil giants such as BP and Chevron are the primary suppliers to Israel, the report emphasizes that a significant portion of the oil processed in Israeli refineries comes from fields operated by Petrobras. These refineries supply both civilian and military sectors, including Israeli Air Force bases directly involved in operations in Gaza.
The report sparked widespread reaction for exposing the connection between natural resources extracted from Brazilian territory and their use in one of the most intense and disproportionate conflicts of our time. The sharp rise in Brazilian oil exports to Israel — especially following the start of the military offensive in Gaza — underscores the gravity of the accusation. Between 2023 and 2024, exports increased by over 50%, while exports to other countries grew at a much lower average rate.
It is important to note that although Petrobras is majority state-owned, it operates under a mixed ownership model with significant private and foreign investment. This structure enables it to function within a globalized market where commercial decisions often override considerations of sovereignty, ethics, and human rights. As reported by oil workers’ unions, much of the oil produced by Petrobras is shared with international consortiums that operate the oil fields in partnership with the company — many of which are linked to large foreign corporations.
However, the debate about Petrobras’s responsibility should not be limited to its commercial ties with Israel. The core issue is how Brazil, as a sovereign nation, positions itself in the face of systematic violations of international law. By continuing to export essential resources to a state accused of committing one of the worst genocides of the century, Brazil risks becoming complicit — even if indirectly — in these atrocities.
Moreover, the controversy reveals a contradiction in Brazil’s foreign policy. While the official discourse promotes an international stance based on human rights and multilateralism, in practice, strategic trade agreements often ignore those principles. This inconsistency weakens the country’s credibility in international forums and raises questions about its true independence from the interests of global powers.
Therefore, it is urgent that the Brazilian government conduct a transparent public audit on the destinations of Brazilian oil, especially during wartime. As a strategic company for Brazil’s national sovereignty, Petrobras cannot serve as a financial tool for military operations that result in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. The export of natural resources must follow clear standards of accountability and align with the official positions of Brazil’s foreign ministry.
More than just a matter of international trade, this is a moral imperative. Brazil must decide which side of history it wants to stand with: as a nation committed to peace, or as a silent supplier of violence and occupation. Answering this question requires political courage and a steadfast commitment to the principles that have long defined Brazilian diplomacy.
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