Stop the annexation by Israel of the occupied Palestinian territories!
1. The seriousness of the statements by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, announcing the intention to proceed with the formal annexation of occupied territories of the West Bank, cannot be ignored or silenced. The statements by US Foreign Minister Michael Pompeo that such annexation would not pose a problem for the so-called "deal of the century" are equally unacceptable and give rise to well-founded fears about this US government-sponsored plan.
2. If consummated, the formal annexation of Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967 would mean an open violation of the basic principles of international relations and decades of UN resolutions. It would even mean the violation of decades of official agreements sponsored by the US and signed by Israel. Such an annexation would require a strong reaction from the international community, without which we would be facing an historic betrayal of the already long-suffering Palestinian people and the countless promises of respect for their national rights, and in particular their right to an independent state, on the territory of historic Palestine and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
3. It is impossible to ignore that a consummation of the announced annexation of occupied Palestinian territory would also represent a huge blow to the UN and its credibility, as well as to the credibility of any political solution to the tragedy of the Palestinian people. It would inevitably have dramatic consequences, for which the responsibility would lie entirely with the United States and Israel, but also with all those who remain passive in the face of such an affront.
4. The MPPM considers that, in the present context, the Portuguese government has the constitutional obligation, but also the political duty, to actively intervene in defence of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, in defence of the credibility of the UN and of International Law. It should do this unilaterally - specifically by immediately and fully recognising the Palestinian State and its relations with Israel - but also in terms of its bilateral and multilateral relations, specifically by demanding a clear and unambiguous position from the EU, including the end of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel and Israel's access to substantial Community funds. Similarly, Portugal should draw all the lessons from the systematic violation by the USA of international law, in particular as regards its international commitments involving that country, including those relating to NATO.
5. The Palestinian people today face one of the most serious situations since the ethnic cleansing which accompanied the creation of the State of Israel. The dangers are not confined to occupied Palestine, but cover the entire Middle East. The governments of the two poles of the Iron Axis that for decades has united the world's greatest power, the USA, and the Zionist state, are today displaying their disregard for all the norms of international law, for the rights of peoples and for human rights. The MPPM appeals to all friends of the Palestinian cause, but also to all lovers of peace and of the UN Charter, to redouble their efforts to halt the implementation of Israel's annexationist plans, as well as the patronage given to them by the USA. Today, more than ever, solidarity with the cause of the Palestinian people is an imperative.
Palestine will win!
3 May 2019
The National Directorate of MPPM
