All parties, with the exception of Chegi, are calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

All parties with seats in parliament agree to an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with the exception of Chegi, but only BU openly advocates imposing sanctions on Israel.

As part of the European elections, Lusa sent out a questionnaire to all parties asking candidates, on the Gaza conflict, whether they believed that “European calls for peace and decisive intervention in the EU should lead to sanctions against Israel.”

Among the parties with seats in parliament, the head of the Democratic Alliance (AD) list, Sebastian Bugalho, argues that “there is a humanitarian catastrophe that requires an immediate ceasefire, which is the only way to deliver humanitarian aid” to the territory. .

“The states of the European Union (EU) are divided (namely, vetoes from Hungary, the Czech Republic, sometimes Austria and Germany), which makes it impossible to pass sanctions,” says the candidate, adding that, despite this, he has already imposed sanctions against individuals , with settlements in the West Bank, and suspended the sale of military equipment to Tel Aviv, which he considers prudent.

In turn, “number one” from PS Marta Temido does not directly address the issue of sanctions, but emphasizes that the EU “must always act in an effort to protect a structural and sustainable solution to the conflict”, immediately confirming the two-state solution and seeking dialogue with relevant regional and international actors.

“The EU must make every effort to guarantee the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and ensure effective compliance with international humanitarian law. It is also necessary to strengthen the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, which opens the door to peace negotiations,” the candidate defends.

Chega, which represents António Tangier Correa “number one”, is the only party that does not directly talk about the need for a ceasefire, believing that “it is necessary to stop the spiral of violence and hatred”, but arguing that it cannot not forget that the conflict “began with a horrific Hamas terrorist attack.”

“We also cannot ignore the fact that Israel is a democracy that shares our core civilizational values ​​and is also a security barrier protecting us from revisionist totalitarian powers like Iran,” he says, emphasizing his support for Israel’s rights to be protected “always within the framework of international law.”

The Liberal Initiative (IL), led by João Cotrim de Figueiredo, stresses that sanctions against Israel cannot be ruled out in the current situation, and advocates for “an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and respect for international law.”

“The current disproportionate response and the humanitarian catastrophe it has caused are reprehensible, and Israel, through its own fault, has lost its moral authority and is losing allies every day,” the candidate argues.

The Left Bloc (LE) is the only party that openly calls for sanctions against Israel, as well as the “immediate termination of Brussels’ association agreement” with Tel Aviv, the imposition of an arms embargo and the accompaniment of South Africa in its genocide charges before the International By the court.

“And, of course, recognize the State of Palestine,” says the response from the head of the list, Katarina Martins.

The CDU believes that the current conflict has “exposed the cynicism, hypocrisy and double standards of the EU in international matters” and argues that “this barbarity must be put to an end.”

“It is necessary to strongly condemn Israel, suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and stop arms exports. (…) There is a need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unconditional access for humanitarian aid, the creation of the State of Palestine,” says candidate João Oliveira.

Livre also calls for an “immediate ceasefire” and recognition of the State of Palestine, and calls for a review of the EU’s trade agreement with Israel to assess whether Tel Aviv is meeting its preconditions, especially regarding respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.”

PAN’s number one Pedro Fidalgo Márquez also calls for “every effort to be made not only to restore peace and a ceasefire” but also to guarantee “the existence of humanitarian corridors” and defends a two-state solution.