19 November 2012, Argentina’s President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, has sent letters to the United Nations Security Council, and to Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (UNASUR).

To the UN: “…urgently call for the Council to convene in order to put an end to this round of violence that strengthens those who wish to impede the creation of a Palestine state…”

To the South American union: “UNASUR is required to act in defense of human life…”

The government of Brazil, acting as representative of MERCOSUR (Mercado Comum do Sul/Mercado Común del Sur/Southern Common Market), called: “…for an immediate end to violence and to the UN Security Council to fully assume its responsibilities….”

Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela and Paraguay recognized the State of Palestine in December 2011, and signed a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

On 17 November 2012, it was reported in some South American news sources, that Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi contacted Argentina’s President for help in ending the Israeli hostilities.  President de Kirchner responded by saying South America, not the United States, will: “…work with the leaders in the region to urge the parties involved in the conflict to cease the violence.”