Portugal formally recognises Palestine

After the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, Portugal has also officially recognised the State of Palestine on the same day. On Sunday, the country’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announced the recognition.

Speaking to reporters from Portugal’s Permanent Mission headquarters at the UN in New York, Paulo Rangel said the recognition of the State of Palestine is the implementation of a fundamental, unchangeable principle of Portuguese foreign policy. He said Portugal supports the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace.

He emphasised that a ceasefire in Gaza is extremely urgent.

The Portuguese foreign minister said recognising Palestine will not erase the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He condemned Israel for causing famine and destruction in Gaza and for its illegal settlements there.