The Foreign Minister refuses to call what is happening in Gaza genocide, saying it would be “unfair” to say Israel intends to destroy the Palestinian people, but stresses the existence of a humanitarian catastrophe.
“Genocide presupposes the desire to destroy a people. It would be very unfair to say that Israel intends to destroy the Palestinian people,” said Paulo Rangel in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País, where he emphasizes that “there is a humanitarian catastrophe that requires condemnation, which requires that “Israel accepted an immediate ceasefire and that it should be restored as quickly as possible.”
Paulo Rangel recalls in an interview that Portugal expressed this position to the Israeli government and its ambassador in Lisbon.
Asked whether the international community should impose punitive measures against Israel, the minister replied that “there should be a lot of pressure on the government.”
“Portugal understands that the Israeli state faces an existential threat. This also should not be hidden, but one does not exclude the other,” he says.
“That’s why we are in favor of a two-state solution, both have the right to exist. The pressure has clearly increased. The United States has played a very important role in this regard,” the minister defended, understanding that it is necessary to continue to exercise diplomacy and even “some political pressure” on Israel to at least achieve a ceasefire.
Regarding the recognition of Palestine as a state by Spain and other countries, Paulo Rangel stated that Portugal has a “very close position,” “although it is not exactly the same.”
“There is a time difference. We are consulting with other member states to determine what is the most appropriate moment to take this step,” the official said, adding that “there is a large European consensus on the two-state issue.” .
Rangel also recalled that Portugal “took measures to try to unite the reluctant countries in favor of a vote on Palestine in the General Assembly.”
In the interview, the Foreign Minister also said that Portugal is not concerned about creating a dividing line in the European Union, a rift that radicalizes positions, but about maintaining a “constructive position.”
“Together with Spain, we have long called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages. We are faced with a humanitarian catastrophe, an emergency for the Palestinian people of Gaza, the vast majority of whom are innocent,” he said. said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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