Portuguese parliament votes by majority in favor of a decision recognizing the Palestinian Nakba
The Portuguese parliament on Friday voted by majority on the decision to recognize the Nakba (catastrophe) that befell the Palestinian people in 1948 and praised their struggle to obtain their right to self-determination.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, in a statement today, welcomed the decision considering it “a true expression of Portugal’s solidarity with the plight of the Palestinian people, which has been going on for 75 years.”
The ministry praised the decision as a first step towards the Portuguese government’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
It also considered it a step toward adopting resolutions that consider the Palestinian catastrophe a human tragedy, which must be recognized by the countries of the world towards addressing its ongoing effects and repercussions throughout the past decades.
The resolution condemned the Israeli occupation’s expansionist policy and illegal annexation that violates international laws and also calls on the Portuguese government to take a clear and frank position in defending the right of the Palestinian people as guaranteed by international conventions and laws.
Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Rouhi Fattouh, for his part, said that this vote is an open recognition of the humanitarian tragedy the Palestinian people have been experiencing due to the Israeli occupation.
He urged all the parliaments of the European countries to take similar steps with the aim of achieving justice and freedom for the Palestinian people.
Hamda Mustafa