The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday for discussions focused on the Gaza conflict.
“Unfortunately, I have no hopes [for this meeting]. I don’t know how this will end, but it has to end, and I think it has to be the people moving as they have done worldwide,” said Maria do Céu Guitart, 66, president of the “Meninos de Oiro” association and a participant in the “Peace in the Middle East! End the Genocide!” march, which was held in Lisbon from Largo Camões to Ribeira das Naus.
Bruna Drummond, another protester, expressed that the United States is “complicit” in the events unfolding in Palestine, and that meetings like the upcoming one are actions by both countries to “pretend” they are seeking peace.
“What I hope is that other countries, including the European Union, call for a ceasefire, demand an arms embargo, and enforce international law,” she emphasized, waving a Palestinian flag, at the age of 33.
Skepticism about the meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu is shared by the organizers of the demonstration, which was an initiative of the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation, the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP-IN), the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East, and the association Project Noise.
“The expectation is only to increase violence. We know the position of the United States, which has given full support to Israel to do what it is doing at the moment,” said João Coelho, a member of the executive committee of CGTP-IN, in an interview.
Between 400 and 500 people of all ages participated in the protest, including families with infants and teenagers joining the protest for the first time, such as João, 14.
“The voice is made in the streets, and I think it’s a cause everyone should join,” said the young protester, alongside Bruno, 15, a member of the Portuguese Communist Youth who frequently attends to support Palestine against “the genocide” perpetrated by Israel.
Paulo Raimundo, the Secretary-General of the PCP, also joined the march, applauding the demonstrators and urging, in statements to the press, for the pre-announced ceasefire to materialize.
The communist leader further criticized the government for not recognizing the State of Palestine.
“The Portuguese state is on a path from which it cannot escape the increasingly short list, the shame list, of countries that have not taken this step,” he stressed.
A new demonstration has been scheduled by the organizers for July 11 in front of the Assembly of the Republic.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mainly civilians, and over two hundred hostages.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip, which according to local authorities controlled by Hamas, has resulted in more than 57,000 deaths, the destruction of nearly all infrastructure in the territory, and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
