On May 19th, remembering the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel, the Portuguese Parliament passed a historic resolution that "expressed its friendship with the people of Israel", "the importance of joint cooperation in the economic, cultural, and social spheres and in areas of mutual interest between Portugal and Israel", and "demonstrated its support to assure its recognition, to increase the circle of peace in the region and to realize the national aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples through resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution, in line with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations and with previous agreements signed between Israelis and Palestinians."
The preamble quotes the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, approved in November of 1947, on the independence of the State of Israel, "realizing the aspiration to restore a Jewish Home in the Land of Israel (Eretz Israel), where its roots had been for over 35 centuries, where the national, cultural, and religious Jewish identity had been formed, and where its physical presence had been maintained for centuries, despite the fact that many had been forced into exile."
The Parliament resolution added, "Assuring the institution and vitality of a national state includes, therefore, peace in the region, through the resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, on the basis of a two-state solution, in line with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations, guaranteeing as well to the Palestinian people the right of self-determination and peaceful coexistence and cooperation between the communities."
Dor Shapira, the Israeli Ambassador in Portugal wrote on twitter, "This is the first time in history that the parliament passes such a vote with a vast majority of support. I would like to thank MP Alexandre Poço, and the members of the Portugal-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group for joint work and a historic result. This is another important milestone in the relations between Portugal and Israel."
Gabriel Senderowicz, the President of the Jewish Community of Oporto stated, "The ambassador has been working hard for this diplomatic victory, which is also associated with another factor. Currently the majority of parliament is more open than ever to cooperating with Israel, ashamed of the scandal of the Soviet coup that tried to destroy the strongest Portuguese Jewish community and failed. We will be waiting to see real acts of cooperation by the Portuguese State with the Jewish State and its security needs."
