“In Portugal’s case, the issue [of the arms embargo] does not arise because since the existence of an AD Government – unlike socialist governments – it has rejected all requests for the export of arms or dual-use material to Israel,” stated the minister following a meeting of EU foreign affairs chiefs, which was dominated by the Middle East situation.
The minister further stated that he rejected “a pending request for the export of arms to Israel” on his first day at the Palácio das Necessidades, the HQ of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Unlike other countries, which are requesting suspension [of exports], we have had this measure in place for a long time,” he added.
The agenda also included a debate on the possible suspension of the EU-Israel cooperation agreement, which Rangel opposes in order to maintain a diplomatic channel between Brussels and Tel Aviv.
Paulo Rangel, meanwhile, expressed no doubt that Tel Aviv violated international humanitarian law in Gaza, suggesting the adoption of measures within the commercial scope of the EU-Israel agreement.
The priority, according to Paulo Rangel, is to deliver humanitarian aid to those in dire need, particularly children and the elderly requiring health care.
“We have two emergencies here, and we must address them,” he noted, speaking to journalists and emphasizing that the aid Israel is currently allowing into the Gaza Strip “is manifestly insufficient.”
The unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,219 fatalities, mostly civilians, and over two hundred hostages on the Israeli side, based on official figures compiled by AFP.
In Gaza, the Israeli offensive has caused over 55,000 deaths as of Saturday and more than 131,000 injuries since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, figures considered reliable by the UN.
Currently, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is dire due to Israel’s attacks, worsened by nearly three months of blocked humanitarian aid and distribution challenges due to the reopening of truck crossings.
