Tiago Oliveira, addressing journalists at the start of a solidarity demonstration with the Palestinian people against the alleged genocide in Gaza, emphasized the necessity of continuing public protests. The demonstration took place today at Largo de Camões, Lisbon.
Oliveira underscored the event’s timing, noting the release of a United Nations report that corroborates the claims of a genocide. He highlighted the report’s findings, which include the targeting and killing of children waiting for humanitarian aid. Despite this, he criticized the Portuguese government for its silence and lack of action against the alleged crimes by Israel, as well as for not recognizing Palestine as an independent and sovereign state.
According to Oliveira, Portugal must demonstrate courage and sovereignty in its stance rather than avoidance. He described the government’s position on Palestine as opaque and submissive.
Nearly a hundred demonstrators gathered today at Largo de Camões, Lisbon, advocating for the end of the genocide in Gaza and the recognition of the Palestinian state, as well as urging greater Portuguese intervention. The demonstration was organized by CGTP-IN, the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East, and the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation.
The protest included the participation of the current presidential candidate supported by PCP, António Filipe. Carlos Almeida from the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East emphasized the ongoing solidarity actions for the Palestinian cause amidst the claimed genocide in Gaza. He mentioned concurrent demonstrations in Porto and announced a larger national protest on November 29, aligning with the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The recent UN report on Gaza, according to Miguel Almeida, reiterates the necessity for governments, including Portugal, to move beyond rhetoric. He accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and genocide not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank, pointing to around 30,000 Palestinians displaced due to settler violence supported by the Israeli military.
Isabel Camarinha of the Council for Peace and Cooperation stressed the importance of raising awareness about the situation in Palestine, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. She noted this initiative was the kick-off for a national campaign called “National Solidarity Campaign for the Palestinian People” lasting until November 29.
Camarinha called for an end to the ongoing situation where, according to her, Israel persists in its actions with the backing of the United States, the European Union, and European governments, including Portugal.
