The leader of Chega, André Ventura, spoke on Sunday about the recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing the necessity of releasing hostages held by Hamas.
“We have always said there is a path to be followed, but it must include the release of hostages. We are accepting that terrorists control certain parts of the world when they have hostages and do not release them,” he stated to journalists in Viseu.
When asked whether he agrees with the recognition of the State of Palestine, on the day Portugal is set to take this step, Ventura did not give a definitive yes or no answer: “Regardless of the paths that need to be taken, the Hamas terrorists must release the hostages. I believe that is the stance of the most advanced countries in the world and it should be Portugal’s stance. It is not about asking Israel to refrain from acts that violate human rights, which is an important part, but also demanding that terrorists release the abducted individuals. It is a demand to release hostages and stop acts of terrorism. We also never recognized the [self-proclaimed] Islamic State. We never recognized countries dominated by the [self-proclaimed] Islamic State. Why? Because they were terrorists. We are talking about terrorism.”
Emphasizing the need to demand human rights compliance, as well as to punish the Islamist group Hamas, Ventura was asked about the CDS’s position, which on Saturday argued that recognition was “not timely nor consequential,” to which he responded: “That does not concern me. I am here to compete with the major parties of democracy.”
The CDS-PP stated today its disagreement with the government’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine on Sunday, considering it “untimely and inconsequential,” suggesting it should only occur within the framework of an institutional peace process.
Lusa | 17:52 – 20/09/2025
“It’s very nice to hold street demonstrations. In many of these places, there is no opposition; parts of Palestine are controlled by terrorist groups,” he added, indicating that after the release of hostages and rights are “granted to women,” Chega will be ready for “that conversation” regarding recognition.
“If these conditions were met, I believe Portugal should start this journey,” he asserted.
Portugal is set to recognize the State of Palestine this Sunday at 8:15 PM Lisbon time, following France’s lead, with several countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, already having done so.
The decision received the “full support” of the President, but it is not unanimously supported within the governing coalition, with the CDS-PP opposing.
On the same day, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, expressed Tel Aviv’s “extreme disappointment” with Portugal and other countries preparing to recognize the Palestinian State, criticizing “unilateral initiatives” that move the parties away from a compromise.
