A motion of solidarity with the Palestinian people was proposed by the PCP during a public meeting of the municipal executive. The motion seeks to express institutional solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounce crimes committed by Israel. Symbolically, it was decided to turn off the lighting of São Jorge Castle for at least one hour every night until the next council meeting, scheduled for September.
The decision by the PSD/CDS-PP leadership, which governs without an absolute majority, to vote against was explained by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD). He cited the absence of any reference to Hamas as a “terrorist organization” in the motion presented by the PCP and expressed “total repugnance” for the policies of the Israeli government, while showing solidarity with the people of Palestine.
“This motion does not mention that Hamas is a terrorist organization, which has harmed many, including the Palestinians themselves. It also fails to mention the hostages still detained by this terrorist organization, some of whom were murdered or maimed, and others remain alive under inhumane conditions. There must be solidarity with everyone suffering from the war, absolutely everyone,” Carlos Moedas stated.
The solidarity motion with the Palestinian people and condemnation of Israel’s crimes was approved with votes in favor from all opposition councilors, including PCP, PS, Livre, BE, and Citizens for Lisbon (elected by the PS/Livre coalition).
With this document, the council strongly condemns “the genocide of the Palestinian people perpetrated by Israel” and urges the recognition of the State of Palestine within pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the implementation of the Palestinian refugees’ right to return, as determined by United Nations resolutions.
“Words cannot express the horror and suffering inflicted by the State of Israel on the Palestinian people in Gaza and the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem,” the document states.
The motion further states that “any silence or subservience towards the State of Israel and those who have taken its side, notably the United States and the European Union, besides being disgraceful, are blatantly contrary to the letter and spirit of the Portuguese Republic’s Constitution.”
The Lisbon City Council executive comprises 17 members: seven from the “Novos Tempos” coalition – PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança, three from the PS, three from Citizens for Lisbon, two from the PCP, one from Livre, and one from BE.
The ongoing war in Gaza was triggered by attacks led by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and more than two hundred hostages.
Israel’s retaliation has caused over 60,000 deaths, destroyed nearly all of Gaza’s infrastructure, and forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Israel also imposed a blockade on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave, where more than 140 people, mostly children, have died from malnutrition and starvation.
