Portugal passes resolution to recognise Palestine Nakba
SINAR DAILY REPORTER
SHAH ALAM - The Portuguese parliament has passed a resolution to recognise the Nakba or catastrophe which refers to the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Zionist militants to make way for the creation of Israel in 1948.
According to London-based news website the Middle East Eye, the resolution to show support for the Palestinian self-determination was passed on Friday.
Deputies from Portugal's social-democratic political party, which was the ruling party, Socialist Party (PS), the Communist Party (PCP) and the Left Bloc (BE) had voted in favour of the resolution while the representatives from the country's liberal-conservative political party Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) and the right-wing Chega Party (CH) had voted against it.
According to the news agency, in the resolution, the parliament had condemned Israel's expansionism in the West Bank and its continued violation of international law.
The parliament also called on the Portuguese government to take a 'clear and frank position' in defending the rights of the people of Palestine.
It was also reported that the Palestinian Authority has welcomed the Portuguese parliament's recognition of the Nakba.
In a statement, it described the resolution as the 'first step in recognising Palestinian statehood'.
