“It is not just this or that isolated case or initiative, very minority, that defines what has been a very broad, widespread movement, particularly among youth, of solidarity and commitment to the Palestinian cause,” stated Paulo Raimundo to journalists following a visit to the Centro Interpretativo do Tapete de Arraiolos in Arraiolos, Évora district.
Paulo Raimundo emphasized that what has stood out in recent months is the “great support of the Portuguese people” for actions of “solidarity with Palestine” and the push for an end to the “ongoing genocide, implementation of a ceasefire, entry of humanitarian aid” into the Gaza Strip, and the “recognition of the Palestinian people’s national rights.”
“That’s what has stood out: a great adhesion, a great involvement, a great affirmation of these principles,” he reiterated.
When asked whether these demonstrations will be heard, Paulo Raimundo argued that “what is being heard is an entire process of solidarity, over recent months,” in support of the Palestinian people.
“I would say it was fundamental for, albeit very timidly, the Portuguese Government to have taken the step to recognize the State of Palestine. Without this — without this process of months and months of action, of solidarity, of various actions — none of this would have happened.”
Paulo Raimundo, however, considered that it is now “necessary for this solidarity movement to continue so that the Government, once and for all, makes it heard in the forums where it participates and especially to the Israeli regime, that it needs to end this,” referring to the attacks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The PCP’s secretary-general made these statements after part of the pro-Palestine demonstrators moved into the Rossio railway station, where one individual was electrocuted while attempting to climb onto the top of a train on Saturday.
This incident led IL leader Mariana Leitão to accuse BE, Livre, and Chega of promoting political division in the country, considering Saturday’s incident a consequence of these parties’ rhetoric. Livre’s spokesman Rui Tavares has already demanded an apology from Mariana Leitão. Marisa Matias of BE also criticized IL on the matter.
