Ramallah: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the Portuguese parliament's majority vote in favor of two resolutions condemning land confiscation and Israeli plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The ministry described the move as a clear commitment to international law and legitimacy.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the ministry issued a statement on Thursday indicating that the vote reflects a growing awareness within European political circles about the dangers posed by Israeli policies. These policies, particularly land seizures and settlement expansion, represent serious violations of international law and pose obstacles to achieving a just and comprehensive peace.
The ministry noted that the vote sends an important political message rejecting unilateral and unlawful measures aimed at imposing a new reality on the ground. It also supports international efforts to preserve the two-state solution and end the occupation.
Furthermore, the ministry praised the role of Portuguese political parties in advancing the resolutions for adoption in parliament. It renewed its call on the international community, particularly national parliaments, to take similar practical and effective steps. These steps include imposing sanctions on Israel to halt land confiscation policies and settlement expansion, and holding Israel accountable for its ongoing violations as the occupying power.
The statement emphasized that achieving a just and lasting peace requires ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. It also highlighted the need to enable the Palestinian people to realize their legitimate rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.