The Recognition of the State of Palestine by the Portuguese Government is a measure that was long overdue and should have been taken long ago.
It is a measure that has been repeatedly proposed by the PCP for many years, particularly in the Assembly of the Republic, and which was systematically rejected by successive PSD/CDS and PS governments, under the cover ofvarious subterfuges to prevent Portugal from adopting a decision that it had the sovereign right to take.
However, the PCP unequivocally rejects the fact that the Portuguese Government's decision is accompanied by demands that call into question the rights of the Palestinian people, namely to a free and independent State, in which the Palestinian people can sovereignly decide their destiny.
It should be stressed that the current Portuguese Government only took this decision in the face of Israel's escalating atrocities and open proclamation of its colonialist objectives, the courageous resistance of the Palestinian people and the persistent action of the solidarity movement all over the world, namely in Portugal.
The decision of the Portuguese Government has been made in conjunction with some Western powers, which, however, refuse to implement the decisions and actions necessary to end the genocide, ensure urgent humanitarian aid and create the State of Palestine as recommended by United Nations resolutions.
Western powers that, in addition to not questioning the continuity of their military, political and economic support for Israel, nor condemning its genocidal policy, continue to repress the movement of solidarity with the Palestinian people and for peace in the Middle East, as witnessed in France or the United Kingdom.
Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people have reached unprecedented proportions, with continuous massacres, the imposition of a blockade and the use of starvation as a form of aggression, the systematic and complete destruction of basic infrastructure, and the openly proclaimed intention of the Israeli authorities to occupy and colonise the entire territory and expel the Palestinian people from their land, Palestine.
A situation that is only possible because Israel's policy of aggression, occupation and colonisation has for decades enjoyed the support and complicity of the US and the major powers of NATO and the European Union.
The PCP considers that the recognition of the State of Palestine by the Portuguese Government should be accompanied by other immediate measures and actions, including:
- The condemnation of the genocide of the Palestinian people by the Zionist regime of Israel and an end to the whitewashing of its criminal policy;
- The promotion of initiatives aimed at the immediate end of Israel's crimes, the urgent response to the basic needs of the Palestinian population, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the end of their attacks on the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- The creation of the State of Palestine, with the 1967 borders and capital in East Jerusalem, and the fulfilment of the right of return of Palestinian refugees, as determined for decades by United Nations resolutions.
The PCP will remain committed to solidarity with Palestine, calling on the workers, youth and Portuguese people to strengthen their solidarity with the Palestinian people and other peoples in the Middle East who are resisting aggression by Israel, the US and their allies in NATO and the EU.
