MPPM welcomes ceasefire in Gaza and victory of the Palestinian people
1. MPPM – the Portuguese Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and for Peace in the Middle East - welcomes the unconditional ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect this Friday, May 21, and which ends 11 days of barbaric and intolerable bombing, in which Israel caused the death of almost 250 Palestinians, including 65 children, and injured nearly two thousand, causing widespread devastation in an already impoverished territory.
2. MPPM considers the ceasefire to be a victory of the heroic resistance of the entire Palestinian people, in Gaza, in East Jerusalem, in the West Bank, in the diaspora, but also among those who have Israeli citizenship.
The unity of all Palestinians around their national cause, which has emerged in these days, is a precious asset and the key to achieving future advances.
The national resistance of the Palestinian people during these days not only confirmed their historical and legal right to the creation of their Homeland on Palestinian soil, but also represented a huge step forward towards putting the Palestinian issue back on the agenda at the international level.
3. The ceasefire puts an end to the bombing of Gaza, but it does not put an end to the fundamental issue at the root of this most recent outbreak of violence: the Israeli occupation and the denial of the Palestinian people's right to a sovereign and independent state.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the siege of Gaza, which is now more destroyed and in need.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the Apartheid Wall that carves up the West Bank.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the Israeli repression in the Esplanade of the Mosques, as has once again happened this Friday.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the permanent threat of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their historic land.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the thousands of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the segregation and multiple discriminations to which Palestinians are subjected within Israel's 1949 borders.
The ceasefire does not put an end to the absence of a political process leading to the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
4. MPPM welcomes the magnificent displays of popular solidarity with the Palestinian people around the world.
MPPM extends a special greeting to all those who participated in the solidarity actions in our country, namely in the major gatherings of last Monday, May 17th, in Lisbon, Porto and Évora, which marked an outstanding moment of solidarity with Palestine in Portugal.
5. MPPM considers it unacceptable that the Portuguese government has ignored the threats of eviction from their homes against the Palestinian population in the neighborhood of Sheik Jarrah.
That it has ignored the barriers erected by the Israeli army to access the Old City of Jerusalem and the brutal repression that followed.
That it has ignored the persecutions of Palestinians within Israel's borders.
That it has ignored Israel's decision to launch a new and brutal bombing of the population of the Gaza Strip.
MPPM considers it unacceptable that the Portuguese government has decided to make a statement about the events only after the launch of rockets from the Gaza Strip and exclusively to condemn the action of the Palestinian resistance, invoking a right of defense by Israel, a right it does not recognize to the Palestinian population under occupation.
By uncritically following the collusion of the European Union and the USA with Israel, the Portuguese government not only betrayed its Constitutional obligations, but also became an accomplice of those who, with their eternal silence in the face of Israel's violations of international law, of countless UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue and even of the agreements that Israel signed on the issue, have today lost any legitimacy to criticize the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people and have become responsible for the threats to the Palestinian people and to peace throughout the Middle East.
The Portuguese government's bias compromises its international credibility.
6. It is imperative that there be a radical change, at the international level, vis-à-vis Israel and its crimes, and vis-à-vis the just and legitimate demands of the Palestinian people for respect for their rights.
It is not acceptable to return to the state of affairs that existed prior to this 2021 war.
It is not acceptable to continue to ignore Israel's crimes, its systematic disregard for UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice, for International Law.
It is not acceptable to ignore once again that the root of the problem lies in the fact that, for more than seven decades, the promise of creating a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the right of return for the refugees, has not been fulfilled.
7. The events of the last few days have opened a new phase in the struggle of the Palestinian people. MPPM calls for the continuation and intensification of the solidarity of the Portuguese people with the just cause of the Palestinian people, in order to ensure that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for their freedom and independence are finally fulfilled.
For the recognition of the State of Palestine!
For the primacy of international law!
For an end to the impunity of the State of Israel!
Palestine will win!
The National Directorate of MPPM
May 23, 2021
