At the National Assembly, after a meeting with government officials to discuss various issues, Rui Tavares emphasized the importance of Portugal recognizing Palestine as a state, suggesting that such a move “could have saved lives.”
“We support the prompt recognition of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state by Portugal, and it seems this may happen soon,” he stated.
Questioned about whether the government committed to a specific date, Rui Tavares avoided details to prevent any potential delay in the recognition of Palestine.
The Livre party member stressed that if Portugal acknowledges Palestine as a state, his party expects “parity in the treatment of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Israel’s war against Palestine,” asserting that “any attack on this state should be viewed by Portugal as an invasion of foreign territory by Israel.”
Tavares also criticized the government’s handling of the “Freedom Flotilla,” a vessel heading to the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid, which includes three Portuguese nationals, among them, BE deputy Mariana Mortágua.
From Livre’s perspective, the government should have either advised against participation, which it did not, or fulfilled its obligations for monitoring and protection, especially given the presence of an elected representative of the Portuguese people on the flotilla.
“The government cannot merely wash its hands, stating, ‘if they go, it’s at their own risk, and we only provide minimal protection, which is consular protection,'” he criticized.
Tavares warned that “once Israel declared those on the flotilla would be treated as terrorists, the minimum response should be to summon the Israeli ambassador for clarification on this statement.”
In July, the Prime Minister announced plans to consult the President of the Republic and parliamentary political parties regarding “considering the recognition of the Palestinian State” at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly this month.
