Middle East: Livre says decision to recognize Palestine “is necessary, but late”

Livre considered today that the Government's decision to consider recognizing the State of Palestine "is necessary, but late" and happens "almost more due to external pressure" and from citizens than due to the will of the executive itself.

"It's a good decision, but it's certainly late. There was no shortage of opportunities, and it should also be said for previous governments, to move forward with this recognition," said Jorge Pinto, a Free Party representative, in a statement to the Lusa news agency.

Back in 2015, in the first elections it ran in, Livre was “the only party that said that one of the conditions it would have on the table to support a possible left-wing government would be the effective recognition of Palestine as a free, independent and sovereign state,” he recalled.

"What the government seems to be doing now is that, under pressure from other international partners, with France at the forefront, it has realized that it may no longer have the space to not move forward with this recognition," said Jorge Pinto.

For the Livre MP, this is “a necessary but late decision” and that “it happens almost more due to external pressure than due to pressure and will of the Government itself”, also highlighting the importance of “citizen pressure” for this recognition.

"This recognition, if confirmed – and I want to believe that there is a parliamentary majority that will support it as well – is important, but more is needed," he warned.

Jorge Pinto said that his party has presented proposals for an embargo on the transport and sale of weapons to Israel or for an effective suspension of the European Union-Israel trade agreement.

"And something increasingly important is that there be judicial and criminal accountability for all those involved in war crimes and the crime of genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, as has happened in other similar cases," he argued.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced today that he will consult with the President of the Republic and political parties with parliamentary representation with a view to "considering the recognition of the Palestinian State" at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

"The Government has decided to consult His Excellency the President of the Republic and the Political Parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic, with a view to considering the recognition of the Palestinian State, in a procedure that can be concluded during the High-Level Week of the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations, to be held in New York next September," the Prime Minister announced in a statement.