Bloco de Esquerda condemns reception of Israeli ambassador in Madeira
Madeira GuideThe party criticised the ambassador's visit and his reception by Miguel Albuquerque and Rubina Leal, calling for Madeira to uphold peace, human rights and international law.
Bloco de Esquerda on Wednesday publicly condemned the visit of the ambassador of the State of Israel to Madeira and his reception by Regional Government president Miguel Albuquerque and Legislative Assembly president Rubina Leal.
In a party note signed by regional coordinator Dina Letra, the party said it was "absolutely shameful" for regional institutions to seek deeper institutional relations with the State of Israel given the current situation in Palestine. It said events in Gaza and the other Palestinian territories could not be treated as merely diplomatic matters.
The party said the International Court of Justice had ordered provisional measures in South Africa's case against Israel under the Genocide Convention, including measures to prevent acts covered by the convention and to ensure humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Bloco de Esquerda said Portugal and its institutions should defend international law, human rights and civilians, rather than contribute to normalising the actions of the Israeli government. It said the occupation of Palestinian territories, destruction of civil infrastructure and the humanitarian crisis required a firm political response.
The party said foreign policy was the responsibility of the Portuguese state, but that Madeira should not be indifferent to serious human-rights and international-law violations. It appealed to Madeirans to support boycotts of Israeli products and companies, saying consumer choices could express solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand respect for international law.
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Madeira Guide
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