In Lisbon, a protest titled “Solidarity with Palestine – End Genocide” began at 18:00. It was organized by the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East (MPPM), the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation (CPPC), Project Noise – Youth Association, and CGTP.
The demonstration was attended by the General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Paulo Raimundo, and the coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, alongside hundreds of protesters carrying Palestinian flags and placards appealing for an end to the conflict.
Since Israel ended the ceasefire with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on March 18, 4,210 Gaza residents have been killed, according to the enclave’s Ministry of Health.
Early on Tuesday, an Israeli attack reportedly killed at least 27 Palestinians and injured another 157, as reported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which operates a field hospital in Rafah.
The Israeli military also confirmed that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by Israel and the United States and responsible for food distribution in the enclave, would not open its distribution centers. The organization announced closures for renovations and efficiency improvements, aiming to resume operations on Thursday.
At the demonstration, CGTP General Secretary Tiago Oliveira questioned why Portugal has not recognized the State of Palestine, especially after Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel stated on May 25, following a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, that “the best solution is the two-state solution.”
“We must chart our independent and sovereign path, consider what is happening in Palestine, as words cannot describe the suffering of a people subjected to daily atrocities,” said the CGTP leader. He added, “We face a government that has repeatedly shown it is not independent in its geopolitical policies, often imposed by the European Union.”
As drums played and a song adapted from “Bella Ciao,” an Italian resistance anthem from World War II, was sung, participants altered the lyrics to call for a “Free Palestine” and highlighted an “uncertain ceasefire.”
“In every city, on every corner, we are all Palestine,” chanted the crowd.
When the drums quieted, chants for “freeing Palestine” and “ending the massacre” resounded.
Gonçalo Paixão, holding a Palestinian flag, insisted the Portuguese government should “immediately recognize the State of Palestine and actively promote solidarity.”
Dulce Patrício emphasized her presence due to the “slaughter” of the Palestinian people, comparing the situation in Gaza to the Jews’ plight during World War II.
“Sadly, our government, particularly a right-wing one, will likely only act once all countries are in favor,” she added.
[Updated at 21:17]
