Portugal set to recognize Palestinian state in landmark Sunday move

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 09:23
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Portugal’s bold recognition of Palestine highlights its commitment to justice and principled diplomacy, setting a strong example for fellow EU nations.

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Protesters holding a banner with the words "Stop the war. Give peace a chance" shout slogans outside the Embassy of "Israel" in Lisbon, Saturday, April 6, 2024 (AP)

Portugal announced Friday that it will formally recognize a Palestinian state this weekend, with the Foreign Ministry saying the official declaration is scheduled for Sunday, ahead of next week’s High-Level Conference.

Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had signaled earlier in the week, during a visit to the United Kingdom, that Lisbon was actively considering recognition.

Back in July, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel reaffirmed his country's openness to recognizing the State of Palestine following France's announcement that it will become the first G7 nation to officially recognize Palestine in September 2025.

While Spain’s leftist government recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, joining Ireland and Norway and urging other EU members to follow suit, Portugal has opted for a more cautious stance, insisting it first wants to reach a common position with fellow EU countries.

At present, only a small number of the EU’s 27 member states recognize Palestine, including several former Communist countries, as well as Sweden and Cyprus.

The United Nations General Assembly granted Palestine de facto recognition in November 2012, upgrading its status from “entity” to “non-member state.”

Portugal’s decision comes as “Israel” faces mounting international criticism, with its ongoing genocide in Gaza drawing widespread condemnation amid soaring civilian casualties, hunger, and destruction.

Not an isolated incident

Luxembourg announced on Tuesday that it will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations summit in New York, which will be held on Wednesday, September 24. The decision aligns Luxembourg with a growing list of countries backing the "two-state solution", amid rising international condemnation of "Israel’s" prolonged war on Gaza.

Speaking to reporters late Monday, September 15, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden stated that the worsening situation in Gaza has prompted the EU country to act.

“The situation on the ground has deteriorated considerably in recent months,” Frieden said. “A movement is now emerging in Europe and around the world to demonstrate that the two-state solution is still relevant.”

Frieden confirmed that Luxembourg will join other countries in supporting Palestinian statehood during the upcoming UN conference dedicated to reviving the "two-state" framework. The move comes amid diplomatic momentum sparked by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has pledged that France will also recognize Palestine.

In July, Macron announced that France’s recognition of a Palestinian state was imminent. Since then, over a dozen Western nations have voiced similar commitments.

Macron leads European push amid war on Gaza

The shift in European policy comes as criticism intensifies over "Israel’s" nearly two-year war on Gaza, launched on October 7, 2023. Israeli ministers have condemned the recognition efforts as a “reward for terror,” while the United States has echoed similar concerns.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed on Monday that recognizing Palestine has “emboldened” Hamas, which still holds 48 Israeli captives in Gaza, with around 20-22 believed to be alive.

Despite international calls for a "two-state solution", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his opposition last week, declaring, “There will be no Palestinian state.”

His government simultaneously advanced the controversial E1 settlement expansion plan, which would further divide West Bank territory and obstruct Palestinian statehood ambitions.

Hardline factions within "Israel" have escalated demands for the formal "annexation" of the West Bank, home to approximately three million Palestinians.

Currently, nearly three-quarters of the 193 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine.

The upcoming summit is expected to serve as a major diplomatic platform for advancing international recognition and pressuring for concrete steps toward ending the occupation.