“I believe this is truly an unnecessary, gratuitous intervention, and above all, very dangerous,” occurring in a highly sensitive global region, he stated.
The Presidential candidate spoke to the media following a visit to the Algueirão Mem-Martins Day Center in Sintra (Lisbon district).
“I can only regret a situation of this nature and, above all, hope that there are, as it seems is beginning to happen, some mediation efforts to prevent this conflict from escalating further,” he declared.
Luís Marques Mendes noted that Israel and Iran have had a tense relationship for a long time and described the situation as worrying.
The candidate for the presidential elections set for January next year highlighted that “concern is daily, constant,” particularly regarding the Gaza Strip, where tensions have persisted for quite some time.
“Concerning the Gaza Strip, it is becoming urgent for Europe, or most European countries, to make stronger and firmer decisions,” he argued, considering the situation in that area to be intolerable.
“Israel’s right to self-defense is not in question, but Israel is abusing its intervention, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and attempting to annihilate a people. Under the pretext of fighting a terrorist group, a people are being annihilated, and I believe it is time for Europe to be firmer in condemning and taking action,” he emphasized.
Marques Mendes also advocated for the recognition of the State of Palestine as a form of pressure and for the suspension of the commercial part of the association agreement between Israel and the European Union to exert strong pressure on the Israeli government.
“The people of Israel are one thing, the State of Israel is another, the Government of Israel is yet another, just as Hamas is one thing and the Palestinian people are completely different. It demands that Europe, European countries, including Portugal, be more assertive on this matter,” he said.
Israel launched a military offensive against Iran at dawn with bombings on military and nuclear facilities, killing several high-ranking Iranian officials, scientists, and other civilians.
The nighttime attacks, carried out by 200 planes targeting 100 sites, mainly struck Tehran (north) and the Natanz uranium enrichment center (center).
The Israeli government stated that the military operation would continue, while Iranian authorities promised an unlimited response to the Israeli attacks.
