Protestors throw bags of paint at guests at Israeli anniversary celebrations
The Israeli embassy in Portugal has lamented that yesterday evening’s celebrations of the 76th anniversary of the founding of Israel were the target of insults – and that guests were “harassed and reviled” by anti-Israel activists.
In a statement published on the website of the Israeli diplomatic mission in Lisbon, the embassy recalls that the protocol ceremony, which took place at Cinema São Jorge in a spirit of “peace, love and inclusion,” contrasted with demonstrations outside the building.
“(In those demonstrations) the State of Israel was vilified, Jews were insulted and guests were harassed, threatened, insulted and had objects thrown at them,” according to the document.
“Israel has emphasised from the outset that this war is about restoring security to its citizens and bringing back the hostages. It is a war against terrorism and the barbarism that comes with it. In times like these, all those who believe in the free world must unite against evil,” the statement continues.
With this in mind, the Israeli diplomatic mission thanks “politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats and everyone who attended this event (…) for supporting this message”.
According to the Israeli embassy in Lisbon, the ceremony was held at a time that was “particularly challenging for the country” and which, “precisely for this reason, was based at all times on a message of peace, love and inclusion”.
Yesterday saw around 200 pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate against the celebrations in Lisbon, throwing bags of paint at guests preparing to enter the venue.
The protest, called by PUSP (standing for the Unity Platform in Solidarity with Palestine), was accompanied by a strong police contingent, with no clashes reported.
Waving Palestinian flags and protest placards, demonstrators shouted slogans such as “long live the struggle of the Palestinian people”, “76 years of theft and slaughter”, “(Carlos) Moedas (mayor of Lisbon) sponsors murderous propaganda” and “Zionism is violence, Palestine is resistance” – as well as making references to 76 years of “occupation, apartheid, land theft and genocide“.
The protest developed into a vigil to denounce the “expulsion of millions of Palestinian people from their homes and lands, as well as a deadly occupation of almost eight decades, on which the foundation of the State of Israel was based”.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, Júlia Branco, a pro-Palestinian political activist, said it was “shameful” that Lisbon City Hall and the São Jorge cinema were “giving the stage to murderers” and “to people who are killing children and completely innocent people by the thousands”.
Questioned about the decision by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to recognise Palestine as an independent State, Júlia Branco said that Portugal should do the same.
“Portugal’s government must recognise the State of Palestine now. Spain has already done so, Ireland has already done so, and Norway has already done so. I don’t know what Portugal is waiting for,” she said.
Source: LUSA
