Thousands of people demonstrated this Saturday in Lisbon in defense of Palestine and against “Israeli aggression” in a march that started in front of the José Saramago Foundation and ended in Martim Moniz.
The initiative, launched by the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation (CPPC), the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and for Peace in the Middle East, among other associations, was attended by PCP Secretary General Paulo Raimundo, BE parliamentary leader Fabian Figueiredo and PAN leader Ines Sousa Real.
The three political leaders unanimously condemned what they consider “Israeli aggression”, denounced the “crime of genocide” committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip and said Portugal must recognize the State of Palestine.
The protesters chanted several slogans such as “Peace is a right, without it nothing can be done,” “Peace yes, war no,” and “Palestine will win.”
A large Palestinian flag opened the parade, which started somewhat late from the scheduled time of 3 p.m.
Before the march began, in statements to Lusa, Ruy Garcia of the CPPC emphasized the importance of international solidarity with the Palestinians.
“Instead of moving towards a solution, we see the problem worsening with new Israeli attacks on Raffah. We are on the brink of an even greater disaster, and that is why international solidarity is needed to stop it once and for all. is happening and a process is beginning that gives the Palestinian people the rights that any people on this planet have,” he stressed.
Speaking to reporters, PCP Secretary General Paulo Raimundo lamented that at the international level we are seeing “total cynicism and hypocrisy” and noted that the Portuguese government has “definitely increased this hypocrisy and cynicism.” “.
“We are faced with a conflict where there is an aggressor and an attacked person, where there is an occupier and a captured person, where genocide is ongoing, and there seems to be a double standard depending on who the aggressor is and who is the attacked,” he said.
The communist leader also said that Portugal has “no reason” to recognize the State of Palestine as an independent state “once and for all.”
“This is what needs to be done. We have a proposal in the Assembly of the Republic about this. The time has come to take this step,” he emphasized.
In a conversation with Lusa, Fabian Figueiredo said that a “theater of horror” is taking place in the Gaza Strip, where more than 34 thousand civilians have died, which has caused a sharp reaction from civil society.
“Students have vigorously occupied colleges and we want to welcome this movement. Let it continue. Let all schools, all colleges become the arena of this concern, this force for human rights and peace,” he defended.
The leader of the parliamentary bloc added that Portugal “has a constitutional duty, but also a moral duty, to do much more in its commitment to human rights,” and pointed to recognition of the State of Palestine as a step that needs to be taken.
Also in a conversation with Lusa Ines Souza Real defended the recognition of the State of Palestine and believed that “the world is sick” when genocide like the one she believes is happening and for which Israel is responsible occurs.
“At this moment, it is extremely important that different countries make more efforts not only to achieve recognition of the two states, but also to ensure that there is a ceasefire and, above all, that innocent victims stop dying,” he stressed.
“We are faced with a real genocide. This is an unspeakable attack on human rights,” he stressed.
The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas commandos infiltrating the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP report based on official Israeli data.
According to the Israeli army, more than 250 people were kidnapped and 128 remain captive in the Gaza Strip, 36 of whom were killed.
Israel responded by vowing to “destroy” Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, and free the hostages, launching an offensive that has already killed 34,971 people, according to the Islamist movement’s health ministry.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal

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