Credit: Embaixada de Portugal em Tel Aviv
President Isaac Herzog received the Diplomatic Credentials of the new Ambassador of Portugal, Helena Paiva. Her job in present times is to promote good relations between Israel and Portugal.
Paiva brought greetings from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal, plus an invitation for a State visit to Portugal, which Herzog said he would like to make sometime this year.
The two discussed the Jewish history of Portugal from the time of the expulsion of Jews during the Inquisition to recent years in which Portugal conferred citizenship on people who had been expelled more than 500 years ago.
At the time of the expulsion, Paiva said, the Jewish citizens represented around 15 percent of Portugal’s population. Approximately 50,000 people have received citizenship, and the final anticipated number will be 150,0000.
Herzog noted that among the hostages in Gaza, there are those with Portuguese citizenship.
“The Jewish people have a long and unique historical connection to Portugal, and today we enjoy strong ties and cooperation in many fields. I look forward to seeing these bonds grow from strength to strength during your time here”, President Herzog concluded.
