Portugal officially recognized the State of Palestine today, Sunday, September 21. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel stated to reporters in New York, on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly, that “recognition of the State of Palestine is an implementation of a fundamental and consistent policy that enjoys wide acceptance.”
Rangel added, as reported by France Presse, that “Portugal calls for a two-state solution as the only path to a lasting and just peace that enhances coexistence and peaceful relations between Israel and Palestine.”
Portugal’s position today aligns it with the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia in recognizing the State of Palestine.
In response, Hamas welcomed the decision of the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal to recognize Palestine. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardaoui stated that it is “an important political achievement resulting from the suffering and sacrifices made by the Palestinian people, especially since October 7 in Gaza.”
Mardaoui noted that “this recognition also reflects the will of global public opinion and the increasing isolation of Israel.” He urged other nations to join this step and “stop normalization with Israel until the ‘massacre and occupation’ ends.”
He added, “This is a victory for the justice of the Palestinian cause and a step that will bring increased international pressure to end the occupation and establish a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
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