Portugal to consider recognizing Palestinian state in September - War on Gaza
France, Britain, and Canada have all recently voiced, in some cases qualified, intentions to diplomatically recognize a Palestinian state.
These moves come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel's 22-month war and five-month blockade have pushed 2.3 million people into famine.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the death toll from Israel's war since October 7, 2023, has risen to 60,332, with 147,643 injured. The majority of the dead are women and children.
Portugal "is considering recognition of the Palestinian state, as part of a procedure that could be concluded during the high‑level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York in September," the statement said.
The decision was made after "multiple contacts" with partners, given "the extremely worrying developments in the conflict, both from a humanitarian perspective and through repeated references to a possible annexation of Palestinian territories" by Israel, the statement added.
A UN-backed international hunger monitoring organisation on Tuesday said: "Famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City."
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) alert warned that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip" under Israel's blockade.
Portugal may join other countries such as Britain, Canada, and France, which have signalled their intention to recognize the Palestinian state in September.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would officially recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, hoping to create collective momentum in this direction.
"The government took a very carefully considered decision in consultation with its European and other partners," Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa responded immediately after the executive's announcement.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
34 minutes ago
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Sisi accuses Israel of ‘systematic genocide' in Gaza as blockade tightens, global pressure mounts
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has accused Israel of committing a 'systematic genocide' against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting that the war has shifted from political objectives or hostage negotiations to a deliberate campaign of 'starvation and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.' Speaking at a press conference, Al-Sisi said more than 5,000 aid trucks are stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, unable to enter due to Israel's control over the Palestinian side. Amid worsening humanitarian conditions, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported Tuesday that 87 Palestinians were killed and 644 injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since 7 October 2023, to 61,020, with 150,671 wounded. Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz stated that the Israeli army would 'professionally implement its policies' toward Gaza pending a cabinet decision. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is increasingly inclined toward a full-scale offensive to seize the entire Gaza Strip. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that 'increased use of force is now on the table' following the collapse of indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said Israel permits only about 40 aid trucks into Gaza each day, far below the 600 trucks required to meet basic humanitarian needs—deepening the risk of famine and disease outbreaks. Gaza's Health Ministry also reported 95 cases of the rare neurological disorder Guillain-Barré Syndrome, including 45 children. It warned of a 'rapid and alarming spread' linked to water contamination and malnutrition caused by the blockade, noting three recent deaths, among them two children. On the ground, Al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades claimed attacks on Israeli military targets in the Morag axis between Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet approved a new mechanism for the limited entry of goods into Gaza via vetted local traders under strict security protocols. Permitted goods will include basic foodstuffs, baby formula, fresh produce, and hygiene products, with payments processed exclusively via wire transfer and all shipments subject to comprehensive inspection. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with his British and French counterparts to discuss the deepening crisis. In an official statement, Rubio expressed 'deep concern' over the escalation and reaffirmed US efforts to push for a ceasefire. Belgium's Foreign Minister voiced support for the European Commission's proposal to suspend Israel's participation in EU research programmes. If Denmark secures a majority, this could mark the EU's first tangible sanctions against Israel. The minister also criticised aid airdrops as 'inadequate' and called for unimpeded ground access for relief deliveries. Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Al Jazeera that Israel is 'violating international law daily' in Gaza and the West Bank. He urged an immediate ceasefire and the full reopening of border crossings to prevent famine, warning that Israel's far-right government includes figures linked to extremist settler groups seeking to seize Palestinian land. Norway's Finance Minister announced that the country's sovereign wealth fund will review its investments in Israeli companies involved in the war and West Bank occupation, stating: 'We aim to avoid investing in companies complicit in the war in Gaza or the illegal occupation.' Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also condemned any 'illegal annexation' of Gaza or the West Bank, calling it a violation of international law that undermines the two-state solution. In Egypt, authorities rejected a request by opposition parties to stage a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in Cairo on August 8. Madhet El-Zahad, head of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, said the demonstration was intended as a peaceful show of solidarity with Gaza and did not address internal Egyptian issues. The request was denied by Cairo's Emergency Affairs Court. In Algeria, the Interior Ministry refused permission for 12 political parties to hold a nationwide march in support of Gaza, suggesting instead that events be held in enclosed venues. Citing a 1989 public assembly law, the ministry's stance drew criticism from those who argue it contradicts Article 52 of the 2020 constitution, which explicitly guarantees the right to peaceful protest without prior authorisation. The banned parties include the Movement of Society for Peace, the Workers' Party, El Fajr El Jadid, Voice of the People, El Nahda Movement, Justice and Development Front, El Karama Party, Freedom and Justice Party, Good Governance Front, Union of Democratic and Social Forces, New Algeria Front, and the Hope for Algeria Party. Meanwhile, Derya Türk-Nachbaur, a senior member of Germany's Social Democratic Party, urged Berlin to join a European initiative led by Italy and Norway to evacuate and medically treat injured children from Gaza. She noted that Germany had already received Ukrainian children and could extend the same assistance to those suffering in Gaza.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO Holds Training Session in Strategic Foresight, AI
Mohamed Mandour The Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded, in Tunis, its training session, 'Introduction to Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence.' The session was organized in cooperation with the Tunisian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and the Tunisian National Center for Educational Technologies. The event reflects the Organization's commitment to promoting a culture of forward thinking in its Member States, anticipating future events, and fostering innovation in governance and educational systems. The session targeted directors and officials from the Tunisian Ministry of Education, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2025 between ICESCO and the Tunisian National Center for Educational Technologies. The MoU provides for equipping specialists with a solid foundation in foresight concepts and methodologies and introducing them to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in policy planning and educational reform. The three-day session was supervised by Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO's Center for Strategic Foresight and Artificial Intelligence. Participants benefited from practical sessions and group exercises which focused on exploring the concepts of strategic foresight, highlighting its basic principles and tools, conducting scenario-building exercises, and designing flexible and adaptable strategies by using real data and analyzing emerging trends to envision the future. In addition, the session cast light on the intersections between foresight and AI by exploring the nature of their relationship and how to rely on AI tools to draw accurate and realistic future scenarios. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
See - Sada Elbalad
4 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
OIC Condemns Visit of US House Speaker to Ariel Settlement in Occupied West Bank
Mohamed Mandour The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the visit of US House Speaker Mike Johnson, leading a congressional delegation, to the Ariel settlement in the occupied West Bank. The OIC considered this visit a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms that Israeli colonial settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Al-Quds, are illegal, and calls on all states to distinguish between the territories of the occupied State of Palestine and the State of Israel. The OIC stressed that this visit contributes to the encouragement and continuation of settlement crimes and organized settler terrorism against the Palestinian people. The organization also called on the international community, led by the United States, to fulfill its political and legal obligations to pressure Israel, the occupying power, to halt all settlement policies, settler terrorism, and daily crimes, and to comply with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
