MPPM repudiates presence in Portugal of foreign minister of Israel Avigdor Lieberman

The National Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and Peace in the Middle East vigorously rejects the presence in Portugal, at the invitation of the Portuguese Government, of the current Foreign Minister of Israel, Avigdor Lieberman, who is leader of a xenophobic right-wing party, and is known for his positions overtly racist and favourable to the expulsion of the Arab population of Palestine. As Foreign Minister, he has taken prominent position in the illegal and criminal policy of occupation and colonization of Palestinian territories and the intensification of persecution of the Arab community in Israel and of the human rights organizations that denounce the Zionist policy of occupation.

The reception given by the Portuguese government to such a personality is an affront to the democratic and solidarity sentiments of the Portuguese people, and a blatant violation of Article 7 of the Constitution.

The National Directorate of MPPM claims of the Portuguese Government to adopt a firm and consequent policy in the demonstration of solidarity with the national cause and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian People and to condemn the Government of Israel for the continued occupation of Arab territories and the prosecution of its exploitation. The National Directorate of MPPM claims, in particular, that the Portuguese Government in accordance with the principles of international law - that Israel violates in a repeated and continuous basis - break all economic, political or other ties with this country.

Lisbon, 26 January 2011

The National Directorate of MPPM