José Sena Goulão / Lusa
Paulo Rangel, Minister of Foreign Affairs
60,000 dead later, Rangel acknowledged, with 14 other European countries, “essential step” for the solution of two states. But “the only way to peace is farther than ever,” says Guterres.
Portugal admits to recognizing the state of Palestine and is committed to working on the “next day” in Gaza, in a joint statement signed at the end of the conference on solution of both statesin the United Nations.
“Prior to the meeting of the heads of state and government that will take place during the high level week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (AGNU 80) in September 2025, (…) [os chefes da diplomacia de 12 países europeus, Canadá, Austrália e Nova Zelândia] We have already recognized, expressing or expressing the will or positive consideration of our countries to recognize the state of Palestine as an essential step for the solution of two states, ”reads the statement, subscribed by the Portuguese Foreign Minister.
Through Europe, sign the declaration Andorra, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia e Spain. Among these countries, Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognized the Palestinian state last year.
“We invite all countries that have not yet adhered to this appeal” on the recognition of the State of Palestine, urge the ministers in the joint statement, which also appeal to countries that have not yet “establishing normal relations with Israel and expressing their willingness to start discussions about the regional integration of the State of Israel.”
London will also recognize Palestine in September, if…
France Last week that will take this step at the UN General Assembly in September, and the United Kingdom will be able to do the same, British Prime Minister Keir Strmer announced this Tuesday.
The United Kingdom will recognize the state of Palestine if Israel does not comply with a series of conditions, namely end the “catastrophic situation in Gaza”announced the British leader.
Decree a ceasefire at the Palestinian Enclave and Ensure that it will not attach the West Bank These are other conditions mentioned by Keir Strmer, who called for an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers to address the situation in Gaza.
The British Prime Minister also demanded that Israel commit to a process of long -term peace reaching a two -state solutionIsrael and Palestine, according to a statement issued by Downing Street.
“Architecture for the next day”
The 15 countries are still determined to be determined in “working in a Architecture for the ‘next day’ in Gaza that guarantees Gaza’s reconstruction, Hamas’s disarmament and its exclusion from Palestinian governance. ”The ministers condemn the“ heinous anti -Semitic terrorist attack of October 7, 2023 ”, perpetrated by the Palestinian Islamite movement in Israelite territory.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional liberation of all Hamas hostages, including the remains, as well as the guarantee of unusual humanitarian access,” complain in the statement.
The statement expresses “deep concern for the high number of civil victims and the humanitarian situation in Gaza” and underline the “essential role” of the United Nations and their agencies in “facilitating humanitarian assistance”.
Israel interrupted for months the entry of humanitarian aid in the enclavewhile food delivery, by a private organization, supported by Israelites and Americans, is being marked by the death of more than 1,000 Palestinians by Israeli forces.
The UN and other organizations have denounced A, which has generated growing global outrage due to Israeli policies and practices – what Israel denies.
The 15 countries reiterate “unshakable commitment to the vision of the two state solution, in which two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, coexist in peace within safe and recognized borders, in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN”.
They also highlight the “Importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank sob The Palestinian Authority“.
In the statement, the countries applaud the commitments made by the Palestinian authority on June 10, namely the condemnation of terrorist attacks from October 7, the appeal to the liberation of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas, the commitment to end the prisoner payment system, to carry out a school reform and to convene elections within a year, and accept the principle of a demitarized Palestinian state.
“Turning Point,” says Rangel
On Tuesday, at the two-day conference, convened by France and Saudi Arabia, Minister Paulo Rangel had already highlighted some of these commitments made by the Palestinian Authority, which he considered “one new step for the realization of the solution of the two states ”.
For the head of Portuguese diplomacy, the declaration of Palestinian authority, coupled with “a new position of so many states in the region regarding Israel and its right to existence”, mark “a turning point“.
The International Conference for the Solution of two states in the Middle East ended on Tuesday with a statement that “unshakably” supports a two-state solution to the Israelo-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza.
The “New York Declaration” establishes a phase plan to end the conflict of almost eight decades and the war in Gaza, culminating in an independent and demilitarized Palestine alongside Israel and the eventual integration of this country in the Middle East region.
Despite everything, UN Secretary-General António Guterres maintains pessimism: “The only way to peace is farther away than ever”said this week, referring to the solution of two states.
More than 60,000 Palestinians died in the war Between Israel and Hamas, which began 21 months ago, the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Islamite group, said on Tuesday. Others 145,870 people were injured Since the beginning of the war.
