The Palestinian Authority thanks the Portuguese Parliament for recognizing the Palestinian Nakba

July 24 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry thanked the Portuguese Parliament this Sunday for recognizing the Palestinian Nakba, which refers to the “catastrophe” caused by the creation of the State of Israel.

“We thank the Portuguese Parliament for its decision to formalize the recognition of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948, recognizing the profound impact that this event had on the Palestinian people. This landmark resolution reflects the Portuguese Parliament’s commitment to justice, historical truth and solidarity with the Palestinians during this crucial time,” the Palestinian Commission for Planning and International Cooperation has reported.

The commission has expressed that this decision is an “example” of commitment to international law and Human Rights, and that it should serve as an inspiration to “all the nations of the world.”

In addition, he has stated that this “historic recognition” will increase cooperation and support for the self-determination of the Palestinian territories.

The Portuguese Parliament approved last Friday the recognition of the Nakba, as reported by the Palestinian newspaper ‘The Palestine Chronicle’, and which commemorates the flight of nearly 700,000 people from their homes –to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and countries in the region– after the creation in 1948 of the State of Israel.

The date is considered by the Palestinians as the saddest of the year, given that it marked the moment in which the displacement of more than half of the population began, in what today has become the longest refugee crisis in the world.

Increased tensions in the region in recent months have resulted in the deaths of more than 185 Palestinians and 25 Israelis, amid fears of a widespread outbreak of violence. Tensions have spiked especially since mid-June.

Added to this are the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, where some 700,000 Jewish settlers live, partly in colonies considered legal by Israel and partly in settlements considered illegal even by the Israeli government. International Law considers the colonization of militarily occupied territories a war crime.