Palestinian foreign minister urges Portugal to push for peace at UN Security Council
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Shahin told Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel in Lisbon that the focus must shift from managing Israel's occupation to ending it, and praised Portugal’s upcoming UN Security Council role.
In her first official visit to Lisbon since Portugal recognised Palestine, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Shahin met with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel at the Palácio das Necessidades. Shahin argued that the international community should move beyond merely managing Israel’s occupation and work to end it, stressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including illegal settlement growth and settler-led violence.
She praised Portugal’s 2025 recognition of Palestinian statehood and its upcoming non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028, urging Lisbon to leverage that position to safeguard civilians and enforce international law. Shahin described Portugal as a “valuable partner” for the Palestinian right to self-determination and expressed optimism that bilateral ties will deepen. The minister also congratulated Portugal on its election to the Security Council, noting its importance for the Palestinian cause.
How this story developed
- Aug 27 Israeli airstrikes kill three Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing ceasefire
- Sep 8 The UK government announced a fast‑track plan to ban imports from Israeli settlements.
- Sep 8 Israel closed the UK consulate in East Jerusalem and barred British MPs and officials from entering Israel.
- Sep 8 US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested the Trump administration could retaliate against Britain over its new trade sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.
- Sep 8 Canada and a dozen European countries announced coordinated bans on settlement products.
- Sep 9 UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese called the UK settlement trade ban a tentative step and urged broader sanctions.
- Sep 9 UK joined eleven other countries in imposing a ban on West Bank settlement products.
- Sep 9 The sanctions were announced immediately before the start of Rosh Hashanah.
- Sep 9 Eight Arab and Muslim states publicly praised the United Kingdom’s ban on settlement products.
- Sep 10 A family of four was killed in Beit Lahiya.
- Sep 10 Israeli opposition parties offered no substantive response to the UK sanctions.
- Sep 12 Eisenkot’s Yashar party entered the race with a poll showing 23 projected seats.
- Sep 13 US activists created a whistle‑blower hotline and warned firms could be targeted under anti‑BDS laws.
- Sep 14 British foreign secretary expected to announce a trade ban on settlement‑linked goods.
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