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Reuters
29 minutes ago
- Reuters
Portugal makes cautious move towards recognising Palestinian state
LISBON, July 31 (Reuters) - Portugal's centre-right government will consult the main political parties and conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on Thursday. Unlike neighbouring Spain, whose leftist government recognised Palestinian statehood in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway and called on other EU countries to do the same, Portugal has taken a more cautious approach, saying it wanted to work out a common position with other EU countries first. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week his country, a heavyweight in the EU, plans to recognise a Palestinian state, becoming the first major Western state to do so. His move came amid a rising global outcry over starvation and devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war against Hamas militants there. Britain and Canada have since said they could also recognise a Palestinian state. "The government decided to promote consultations with the president and the political parties represented in parliament with a view to consider the recognition of the Palestinian state in a process that could be concluded ... at the U.N. General Assembly in September," Montenegro said in a statement. About 144 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as a state, including most of the global south as well as Russia, China and India. But only a handful of the 27 European Union members do so, mostly former Communist countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus. The U.N. General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in November 2012 by upgrading its observer status at the world body to "non-member state" from "entity".
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Global trade in photos as a new deadline approaches on Trump tariffs
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer 'listening to hostages' as UK presses on with Palestine state plan
Keir Starmer said the UK was committed to getting hostages released by Hamas as well as doing 'everything we can to alleviate the human catastrophe in Gaza' Keir Starmer has said the UK is 'steadfast' in its commitment to getting Hamas to release the remaining hostages after coming under pressure over his pledge to recognise a Palestinian state. The Prime Minister said he was listening to concerns from hostages, including British Israeli woman Emily Damari, who was held captive by Hamas, who accused him of "moral failure". But he said the UK must "do everything we can to alleviate the human catastrophe in Gaza". On Tuesday, Mr Starmer said the UK would recognise Palestine before the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel agreed to certain conditions, including taking steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and committing to a ceasefire. It comes as Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu 'completely lost it' with angry response to Keir Starmer. The significant shift in the UK's position came after intense pressure from MPs and his own Cabinet amid public revulsion at scenes of starvation and suffering in Gaza. But the decision triggered alarm from hostage families over whether the UK would recognise Palestine while Hamas is still holding people captive. Speaking to reporters in Swindon, Mr Starmer said: "I particularly listen to the hostages, Emily Damari, who I have spoken to - I've met her mother a number of times, and they've been through the most awful, awful experience for Emily and for her mother. "And that's why I've been absolutely clear and steadfast that we must have the remaining hostages released. That's been our position throughout and I absolutely understand the unimaginable horror that Emily went through. "Alongside that, we do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered. "That is why I've said unless things materially change on the ground, we'll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September." Nearly 150 of the UN's 193 members have already recognised Palestinian state, and Canadian PM Mark Carney said that his government plans to take the step in September. But a group of top lawyers warned it could break international law. In a letter to Attorney General Lord Hermer, some 40 cross-party peers said Palestine did not meet the legal criteria for recognition under a 1933 treaty known as the Montevideo Convention. It says that under international law, a state must have a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the ability to conduct diplomatic relations with other states. The peers argued that there is no certainty over the borders of Palestine and no single government. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hit back, saying they must "look at the levers the UK has" to deliver peace. "I think to be honest, with respect to those colleagues, that is missing the point somewhat," he said. Mr Reynolds said no conditions had been placed on Hamas as the UK does not negotiate with terrorist groups. He said: "We've been absolutely clear: it's our longstanding position that the hostages have to be released. "It's also our longstanding position that Hamas can play no role in the future governance of Gaza or any Palestinian state. So those are our absolute conditions, but we will never be willing to negotiate with Hamas because they are a terrorist organisation."
