Latest news with #MarceloRebelodeSousa
Reuters
7 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Portugal makes cautious move towards recognising Palestinian state
LISBON, July 31 (Reuters) - Portugal's centre-right government will consult the main political parties and conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on Thursday. Unlike neighbouring Spain, whose leftist government recognised Palestinian statehood in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway and called on other EU countries to do the same, Portugal has taken a more cautious approach, saying it wanted to work out a common position with other EU countries first. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week his country, a heavyweight in the EU, plans to recognise a Palestinian state, becoming the first major Western state to do so. His move came amid a rising global outcry over starvation and devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war against Hamas militants there. Britain and Canada have since said they could also recognise a Palestinian state. "The government decided to promote consultations with the president and the political parties represented in parliament with a view to consider the recognition of the Palestinian state in a process that could be concluded ... at the U.N. General Assembly in September," Montenegro said in a statement. About 144 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as a state, including most of the global south as well as Russia, China and India. But only a handful of the 27 European Union members do so, mostly former Communist countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus. The U.N. General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in November 2012 by upgrading its observer status at the world body to "non-member state" from "entity".
Euronews
7 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Portugal to consult major parties about Palestine recognition, PM says
Portugal's government says it will consult the country's main political parties and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa about potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said on Thursday. Portugal has diverged from neighbouring Spain, who recognised Palestinian statehood last year, saying it wanted to work on a common EU position first. Ireland and Norway chose to recognise a Palestinian state in 2024 around the same time as Spain. The announcement from Lisbon comes after a series of diplomatic switches regarding Palestine's status. French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that his country plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, making it the first major Western country to do so. That announcement was followed by the UK, Canada and Malta, but under certain conditions. Those announcements come amid rising global outrage over the way Israel is fighting the war against Hamas in Gaza. "The government decided to promote consultations with the president and the political parties represented in parliament with a view to consider the recognition of the Palestinian state in a process that could be the UN General Assembly in September," Montenegro said in a statement. Around 144 of the UN's 193 member states recognise Palestine as a state, including most of the global south. But only a handful of the 27 European Union member countries do, mostly former Communist countries like Romania and Bulgaria. The announcements to recognise a Palestinian state have been met with outrage from Israel, who has accused these countries of rewarding terrorism and undermining efforts to secure the release of the hostages still being held in Gaza.
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Portugal joins states considering recognition of Palestinian state in September
Portugal has joined a growing number of countries considering the recognition of the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's office said on Thursday that the government would consult with the president and parliament before making a final decision. Portugal 'is considering recognition of the Palestinian state, as part of a procedure that could be concluded during the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York in September,' the statement read. It also cited "the extremely worrying developments in the conflict, both from a humanitarian perspective and through repeated references to a possible annexation of Palestinian territories" by Israel as its reason behind the decision. Following the announcement, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: "The government took a very carefully considered decision in consultation with its European and other partners." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The plan follows similar announcements by France and the UK to formally recognise Palestine. On Wednesday, New Zealand and Australia also signed a declaration suggesting they may follow suit in the coming months. The declaration, known as the New York Call, was published by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. It states that 15 countries will 'reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution, where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders'. Canada joins France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian state Read More » Signatories include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino, all of which have not yet recognised an independent Palestinian state. Other signatories, such as Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, have already officially recognised the State of Palestine. Israeli officials have condemned the plans to recognise a Palestinian state, describing them as a reward for terrorism. Last week, Israel's parliament approved a motion calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank, the latest move in an ongoing campaign to strengthen Israel's hold on the occupied Palestinian territory. The proposal is non-binding and serves largely as a symbolic gesture that does not affect the legal status of the West Bank, but will help build momentum towards a possible move on the territory, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The wave of recognitions comes amid growing international discontent with Israel's conduct in its war on Gaza, which has been described as genocide by several states and prominent rights groups. Israel's near-total blockade of Gaza has led to dozens of deaths from malnutrition in recent weeks. Since the war began in October 2023, at least 159 people have died from malnutrition, including 90 children. In total, Israeli forces have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including 18,500 children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Portugal makes cautious move towards recognising Palestinian state
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LISBON - Portugal's centre-right government will consult the main political parties and conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on Thursday. Unlike neighbouring Spain, whose leftist government recognised Palestinian statehood in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway and called on other EU countries to do the same, Portugal has taken a more cautious approach, saying it wanted to work out a common position with other EU countries first. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week his country, a heavyweight in the EU, plans to recognise a Palestinian state, becoming the first major Western state to do so. His move came amid a rising global outcry over starvation and devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war against Hamas militants there. Britain and Canada have since said they could also recognise a Palestinian state. "The government decided to promote consultations with the president and the political parties represented in parliament with a view to consider the recognition of the Palestinian state in a process that could be concluded ... at the U.N. General Assembly in September," Montenegro said in a statement. About 144 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as a state, including most of the global south as well as Russia, China and India. But only a handful of the 27 European Union members do so, mostly former Communist countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus. The U.N. General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in November 2012 by upgrading its observer status at the world body to "non-member state" from "entity". REUTERS
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Family and friends gather at Diogo Jota's wake as queue forms outside chapel
The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Friday, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent also among attendees. Some mourners embraced and cried before entering the venue as floral tributes of yellow and white and candles were lain by a tree outside. People cried as they made their way to pay their respects (PA) People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands. One man came to pay his respects wearing a Liverpool top. The wake comes ahead of their funeral, which parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, Jose Manuel Macedo, said would begin at 10am on Saturday. Liverpool Football Club postponed the return of players for pre-season following Jota's death, as a number of players past and present paid tribute. The club's manager, Arne Slot, said the 'sense of shock is absolute', adding: 'He was a loved one to all of us.' Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield with flowers and a club scarf on Friday as he paid his own tribute to Jota. A sea of floral tributes had been left outside the ground, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. Liverpool forward Mo Salah said the loss has made the prospect of returning to the club frightening. One man wore a Liverpool shirt to pay his respects (PA) He shared a black and white picture of him and Jota hugging on the pitch on social media, saying: 'I am truly lost for words. 'Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. 'Team mates come and go but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back.' Jota and Silva were both found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. Jota was killed in a car crash on Thursday (Mike Egerton/PA) Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident. The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found at
