Right-wingers defeat resolution banning use of national ports for transporting Israeli weapons

This Friday, parliament defeated Livra’s draft resolution, which recommended the government prevent the use of Portuguese ports by ships carrying weapons to Israel, with the SDP, CDS, IL and Chega voting against.

Livre’s recommendation included only those who voted for the BE, PCP, Livre benches, the sole PAN MP and the Socialist MP Paulo Pisco, with the PS bench abstaining.

Livre proposed that the government implement a policy of “banning the entry of ships carrying weapons to Israel into all national ports” through a “strict monitoring and verification mechanism” that would ensure that Portuguese ports do not serve as transit or supply points.

The resolution also calls on the executive to coordinate its actions with European and international partners “to ensure that this measure forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen international peace and security.”

“The EU and UN guidelines on the export of weapons and military materials emphasize the need for strict controls to avoid escalation of conflicts and human rights violations. (…) Portugal must ensure that the country does not serve as a platform. for transporting weapons to Israel that will be used to continue these indiscriminate attacks,” can be read in the explanatory note submitted by Livre.

Livre asked the government to initiate “bilateral and international diplomatic efforts to advance a peace agreement in the region, encouraging a peaceful and lasting solution based on mutual respect and respect for international law” and that this obstruction of access to national ports be reported to the international community “demonstrating Portugal’s commitment to peace, security and human rights.”

The Livra parliamentary group also recalled the Spanish government’s statement that “it will not allow ships carrying military equipment destined for Israel to enter Spanish ports.”