The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Left Bloc (BE), Livre, People, Animals, and Nature Party (PAN), Together for the People (JPP), and Socialist Party (PS) have advocated for the recognition of the Palestinian state as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with borders predating 1967 and the capital in East Jerusalem.
Livre has called for the “urgent” recognition of the State of Palestine and the “immediate suspension” of the Association Agreement between the European Union (EU) and Israel.
The PS has urged the government to proceed with the “immediate recognition” of the State of Palestine and to “mobilize action within EU institutions to adopt a common position in this regard,” while PAN has expressed concerns about human rights.
Chega and CDS-PP have opposed recognizing the Palestinian state, citing prerequisites such as the end of Hamas, a ceasefire agreement, and the release of all hostages by the Palestinian resistance movement.
The Liberal Initiative (IL) has recommended a “balanced and responsible strategy to promote a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The debate, initiated by a PCP resolution proposal, led the communist leader, Paulo Raimundo, to assert that Portugal, like other European countries, is on the “list of shame” for not recognizing the State of Palestine.
Paulo Raimundo acknowledged that the mere recognition of the Palestinian state will not solve the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank but called it “symbolic” in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, “especially women and children.”
“Portugal must choose whether to remain complicit in the criminal occupation of Palestine or send a decisive political signal by recognizing the State of Palestine,” Raimundo declared.
During the presence of the Palestinian ambassador to Lisbon, Rawan Sulaiman, BE deputy Mariana Mortágua accused the government of complicity by “pretending not to see the ongoing genocide broadcast live,” asserting that history “will judge the criminals.”
Jorge Pinto from Livre argued that Israel is committing crimes against humanity and genocide, emphasizing that “words are starting to fail in describing the inaction of the Portuguese government and the EU.”
Recognizing the State of Palestine, Pinto stated, would place Portugal “on the right side of history” while advocating for the “immediate suspension” of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
João Torres of PS commented that recognizing the Palestinian state is no longer merely symbolic but an ethical imperative, representing hope for peace amid cruelty and truth.
Conversely, Chega’s Pedro Pessanha accused the left of “moral scandal,” noting that none of the parties supporting Palestinian recognition have criticized “Hamas’ terrorist acts,” with another party member, Ricardo Dias Pinto, highlighting “two irreconcilable visions.”
“One from the left with ideological showmanship, and another from Chega with realism and pragmatism,” he stated, emphasizing that terror must be opposed, Hamas destroyed, hostages freed, and Gaza governed without terrorist infiltrations.
CDS-PP deputy João Almeida declared, “Nothing that happened was instigated by Israel, but rather by Hamas terrorists, whose unacceptable actions resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.”
João Almeida insisted that any recognition decision without resolving all issues supports terrorism, demanding the immediate, safe release of hostages, a responsible Palestinian Authority, the demilitarization and disarmament of Hamas and surrounding militias, and Israel’s recognition of the Palestinian state.
Paulo Neves of PSD stated that Luís Montenegro’s government closely monitors the Palestinian issue and favors a Palestinian state in a “territory free of terrorist groups, as in Gaza.”
“Only then will we achieve a truly independent state. PSD supports releasing all hostages held by Hamas, the destruction of Hamas, and elections throughout Palestinian territory. Only afterward will Portugal recognize the Palestinian state. We thus stand on the right side of history, with an independent Palestine, free from any terrorist group,” Neves concluded.
The voting on various motions will occur at the conclusion of the morning parliamentary session.
