“The decision by Portugal to recognize the State of Palestine is a bold step to support and reward global peace efforts,” stated the ambassador in a comment sent to Lusa.
For diplomat Rawan Sulaiman, this represents a “significant milestone for achieving justice, respect for international law, peace, and security for all, after so many years of occupation, oppression, injustice, and war,” adding that “it is truly historic.”
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday the recognition of Palestine on Sunday, “even before next week’s High-Level Conference,” organized by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The diplomacy of the Palestinian Authority, an entity governing only limited areas of the West Bank due to Israeli occupation, considered Portugal’s decision to be in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
Portugal joins a group of countries that announced in July an intention to recognize Palestine and expressed concerns over the death of civilians in the Gaza Strip at the hands of the Israeli army.
These countries include France, Canada, Malta, Australia, Luxembourg, and Andorra, which intend to officialize the recognition during next week’s UN General Assembly, as well as San Marino, which indicated it will do so by year’s end.
The United Kingdom and Belgium also announced they will recognize Palestine in the coming days.
