The Minister of Foreign Affairs assured this Friday that Portugal “adheres perfectly” to the UN resolution on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, rejecting that the organization has requested a ceasefire in the war.
The minister responded to criticism from Left Bloc deputy Joana Mortágua, who questioned the use of Minister João Gomes Cravinho expresses “humanitarian pause”, when the United Nations approved a resolution with the word “what the prime minister uses, which he Stop the fire”.
“It says that the resolution we voted on calls for a ceasefire, but the word used is ‘truce’, the English word that means ‘truce’,” stressed the minister, who will appear this Friday in the parliamentary Budget and Finance committee on the State Budgets for 2024.
“We see ourselves perfectly on this aspect of the resolution,” the minister highlighted, arguing that “if a ceasefire is not possible, a pause” in hostilities is better.
A week ago, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an “immediate, lasting and sustained humanitarian truce” in Gaza and an end to Israel’s order to move the population south of the enclave.
The draft resolution presented by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 UN member states received 120 votes in favor, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
Although not binding, this resolution carries political weight and shows the position of the international community in relation to the way in which Israel is conducting the war against the Islamist group Hamas.
A surprise attack carried out by Hamas against Israeli territory on October 7, which caused around 1,400 deaths, more than 5,400 wounded and during which more than 240 hostages were taken, led Israel to declare war and retaliate with bombings. on Gaza since then.
Israel’s military operations, which have lasted 28 days, have already killed more than 9,000 Palestinians and injured more than 20,000, according to Hamas figures.
In the commission this Friday, João Gomes Cravinho insisted that the ideal would be a ceasefire, but recalled that in the face of “an absolutely dramatic situation” what must be done is “save lives” and “that means taking a pause, a “truce, a ceasefire, anything to stop the missiles.”
On the other hand, he added, it is necessary to “move towards the cessation of hostilities” and “it is necessary to take advantage of this tragic moment to engender a peace process, which in recent years has had nothing to do with a peace process.”
Several deputies present in the parliamentary committee, from the Left Bloc, the PCP and Livre, asked the minister to clarify Portugal’s position in relation to the conflict, arguing that it recognizes the State of Palestine and calls the Palestinians friends as it did with Israel. .
Stressing that the most important thing is to defend civilians, the minister stated that “Portugal is a friend of Israel, but sometimes it is necessary to tell friends things that are difficult to hear.”
“It is clear that we have, in relation to Palestine, a closeness, a feeling of affection and, above all, a desire to contribute to their better future,” said the minister.
This future “must involve a two-state solution,” he said, adding that he wanted to “believe that a global lesson will emerge from this tragedy” regarding Palestine.
“A comfortable solution for the Palestinians is necessary that also allows Israel to live in peace and security and this means an approach and implementation of the two-state solution,” he concluded.
Source: TSF
