“We must emphasize the importance of Portugal recognizing the State of Palestine as a good sign from this Government,” stated MEP and former socialist minister Ana Catarina Mendes in remarks to Lusa on the sidelines of a Public Session for Palestine held on Friday evening in Lisbon.
However, she argued that it was a decision that should have been made earlier.
This opinion was shared by Marisa Marias of the Left Bloc (BE), Inês Sousa Real of PAN, Pedro Guerreiro of the PCP, and Isabel Mendes Lopes of Livre, as well as Catarina Martins of BE, all present at the session.
Ana Catarina Mendes expressed that if Portugal had taken this step sooner, “we could have joined our voices with others and exerted international pressure,” leading to fewer casualties.
Today, the Portuguese Government announced that Portugal will recognize the State of Palestine next Sunday, ahead of a high-level conference on the two-state solution.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs [MNE] confirms that Portugal will recognize the State of Palestine, as Minister Paulo Rangel had already anticipated this week,” indicated a statement.
Isabel Mendes Lopes of Livre remarked at today’s public session that although the recognition of the State of Palestine by Portugal is a vital step, “it is not enough.”
Pedro Guerreiro of the Communist Party (PCP) stated that Palestine’s recognition should be accompanied by measures that reinforce Palestinian sovereignty, opposing any actions that undermine international law, Palestinian rights, and citizenship.
Socialist Party (PS) MP Marisa Matias noted it was “regrettable to wait for two years of occupation and genocide” before recognizing Palestine, referring to the recognition by Portugal and the other nine countries set to occur alongside the UN General Assembly.
The French Presidency announced that ten countries, including Portugal and France, would recognize a Palestinian state on Monday at a conference in New York, alongside the UN General Assembly.
This conference will include representatives from “ten countries that have decided to recognize the State of Palestine,” a French Presidential advisor told the press.
Besides France, which is spearheading the initiative, and Portugal, the other states are Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, the United Kingdom, and San Marino.
Ana Catarina Mendes expressed hope that “more EU Member States” would take the same step by the UN General Assembly.
The event aimed, as organizers noted, to reaffirm respect for international humanitarian law, express solidarity with the Palestinian people, and emphasize their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination.
The session featured participation from Dima Mohammed (university professor), Lídia Jorge (writer and State Counselor), Peter Stilwel (priest and theologian), Bruno Maçães (former Secretary of State), Carlos Almeida (leader of MPPM – Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East), Ana Catarina Mendes (PS), Isabel Mendes Lopes (Livre), Pedro Guerreiro (PCP), Marisa Matias (BE), and Inês Sousa Real (PAN).
The recent conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 200 hostages.
Israel’s retaliation has led to the near-total destruction of infrastructure in the region and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The UN has declared a state of famine in Gaza City due to almost two years of conflict and Israel’s blockade imposed since March.
