Portugal weighs recognition of Palestine at UNGA in September
3 Min Read
Portugal may recognize the Palestinian state during the 80th UN General Assembly in September, joining France, the UK, and Canada in a growing European initiative.
-
Luis Montenegro, Portugal's Prime Minister, on March 20, 2024 (AP)
Portugal is weighing the recognition of the Palestinian state during the upcoming high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to be held in New York in September. This was confirmed in a statement issued on July 31 by the office of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
According to the statement, Portugal "is considering recognition of the Palestinian state, as part of a procedure that could be concluded" during the UN assembly. The statement referenced "multiple contacts" with international partners and highlighted "extremely worrying developments in the conflict," including concerns over a possible "annexation" of Palestinian territories by "Israel".
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that the government had made a "very carefully considered decision in consultation with its European and other partners."
Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel underscored the nation's commitment to multilateral diplomacy during his speech at a UN conference on the"two-state solution", held in New York on July 29. The decision under consideration represents not only a shift in Lisbon's foreign policy but also a broader European consensus responding to both political and humanitarian imperatives.
Background and EU context
Portugal has long expressed openness to recognizing a Palestinian state, though it prefers to do so in coordination with European Union partners rather than through unilateral action. While Lisbon affirms its sovereignty in foreign policy, it aims to align with a broader European consensus. This approach was reaffirmed during Portugal's participation in a multilateral meeting on the "two-state solution" in New York, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia.
Unlike Spain, which recently pursued bilateral recognition, Portugal continues to emphasize dialogue within the EU. The Portuguese Parliament has called for recognition on several occasions, but the current conservative government seeks broader European dialogue. Lisbon has also contributed humanitarian aid, joined international calls for a ceasefire, and condemned settlement activities by "Israel".
European momentum
The EU remains divided on Palestinian recognition. While 12 EU countries have formally recognized the Palestinian state, mainly from Eastern Europe and a few recent additions like Spain and Ireland, many Western powers such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy maintain non-recognition, insisting on negotiations with "Israel".
Nonetheless, momentum is growing, and the potential move aligns with an expanding trend among Western nations to extend diplomatic recognition to Palestine. The announcement follows recent similar decisions from France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which have indicated their intentions to officially recognize the Palestinian state at the same UN forum.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently confirmed that France would officially recognize a Palestinian state in September. Similarly, British and Canadian officials have expressed plans to take the same diplomatic step unless "Israel" agrees to a ceasefire. These developments indicate a coordinated European initiative to revive support for a "two-state solution".
