Two demonstrations have been called for today and Sunday in Lisbon to mark six months since the war in the Gaza Strip and to call for an “end to the genocide” and solidarity with the Palestinians.
Around 15 organizations have organized a sit-in from 3pm today at the Israeli Embassy, followed by a march to the Portuguese Parliament, under the slogan “End genocide! For Peace in the Middle East! Independent Palestine!”.
An “immediate and permanent” ceasefire, an end to Israeli attacks and the blockade of “urgent humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population” are demanded by the organizations promoting the protest, which also demand “respect for international law and compliance with UN resolutions that for decades have determined the creation of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, with its capital in East Jerusalem and the right of return of Palestinian refugees”.
For the promoters of the protest, the Portuguese government “has a constitutional obligation to denounce, condemn and take initiatives at international level to put an immediate end to this massacre”.
On Sunday, exactly six months after the unprecedented attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on Israeli territory, which left around 1,200 people dead and 250 hostages, and which triggered the current conflict, the United Platform for Solidarity with Palestine (PUSP) is calling for the “April for Palestine” demonstration, at 3pm in the Town Hall Square.
The organization denounces that “the State of Israel continues to act with arrogance and impunity”, both in the Gaza Strip, where more than 33,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children, and in the West Bank, where it has “intensified its attacks” since October 7, 2023.
“Here in Portugal, on the 50th anniversary of April 25, when we are celebrating half a century of living in freedom, we can’t not be in total solidarity with Palestine and its liberation struggle. Because we, in the country of April, know very well that no one will be free until we are all free,” the organization said in a statement promoting the initiative.
Israeli retaliation is causing a serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with more than 1.1 million people in a “catastrophic famine” that is already claiming victims – “the highest number ever recorded” by the UN in studies on food security in the world.
PSP called to Israeli Embassy in Lisbon due to suspicious envelope
Costa defends Palestinian state to pave the way for “lasting peace” in the Middle East
Pro-Palestinian activists break glass and paint phrase on MFA building
Israeli hostage declared dead by Hamas has Portuguese nationality
Activists raise Palestinian flag on Lisbon City Hall balcony and paint facade
