Portugal Initiates Process to Recognize Palestinian State
On July 31, 2025, Portugal’s Foreign Ministry announced President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will commence consultations with political parties regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine, a step expected to conclude in September during the United Nations General Assembly, reports 24brussels.
The timeline aligns with recent declarations from countries including France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malta, all of which have voiced intentions to recognize Palestine, following suit from Spain, Ireland, and Norway. The Portuguese government indicated it had “reassessed” the issue and the prerequisites for recognition, working in coordination with several nations during the International High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Resolution of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held from July 28 to 30 in New York.
Portugal’s statement noted growing international will to initiate the recognition process, bolstered by commitments made by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Factors influencing this decision include a notable openness from various Arab states towards establishing relations with Israel, alongside troubling developments in the ongoing conflict, particularly regarding humanitarian issues and Israel’s threats to annex Palestinian territories.
As these diplomatic moves unfold, the situation on the ground remains dire. Israeli forces intensified their attacks on the Palestinian population in Gaza, with reports confirming the deaths of at least 86 individuals seeking humanitarian aid on July 30. Among the casualties, 60 were reported at Al Shifa Hospital, killed while attempting to access supplies at the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, where meager aid deliveries are ongoing.
Additionally, 22 fatalities were recorded at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, and four more deaths occurred in central Gaza, specifically at a food distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The continuous violence exacerbates an already critical humanitarian crisis in the region.
Portugal’s recognition process adds to a growing trend in Europe and underscores the ongoing international discourse surrounding the Palestinian situation amid escalating tensions and calls for peace. As negotiations and consultations progress, the humanitarian ramifications of the conflict continue to demand urgent global attention.
