On October 27, 2023, Prime Minister António Costa of Portugal shared his perspective on the Middle East situation through his official Twitter account, @antoniocostapm. In his tweet, he stated, “No #EUCO discutimos a situação no Médio Oriente. Concordámos que #Israel tem o direito de se defender em linha com o direito humanitário internacional. Houve acordo sobre a importância de criar condições de acesso humanitário a #Gaza, através de corredores e pausas humanitárias.”
Addressing the Middle East situation, Prime Minister Costa shared insights from the discussions held during the EU Council, affirming the rights of Israel to defend itself within the framework of international humanitarian law. Furthermore, there was an agreement on the importance of creating conditions for humanitarian access to Gaza through the establishment of corridors and humanitarian pauses.
By acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, Prime Minister Costa recognizes the significance of international humanitarian law in maintaining a just and balanced approach to the conflict. The agreement on facilitating humanitarian access to Gaza demonstrates the commitment to ensuring the well-being and provision of essential assistance to the people affected by the ongoing crisis.
Prime Minister Costa’s statement highlights Portugal’s active involvement in addressing the Middle East situation and advocating for a comprehensive approach that incorporates both the rights of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gaza. The emphasis on humanitarian access underscores the importance of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations and promoting stability in the region. (*)
