PSD, CDS, IL and Chega voted against the Livre project, which would prevent Israel from using national ports as crossing, supply or docking points. The PS abstained.
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On Friday, Parliament rejected a draft resolution by Livre recommending that the government prevent ships transporting arms to Israel from using Portuguese ports, with PSD, CDS, IL and Chega voting against.
Livre’s recommendation included only those with favorable votes from the BE, PCP, Livre benches, the sole PAN deputy and the socialist deputy Paulo Pisco, with the abstention of the PS bench.
Livre proposed that the government implement a policy of “banning the docking of ships carrying weapons to Israel in all national ports” through a “rigorous monitoring and verification mechanism” that would ensure that Portuguese ports do not serve as a transit or supply point.
The resolution also urged the executive to Coordinate with European and international partners “to ensure that this measure is part of a broader strategy to promote international peace and security.”
“EU and UN guidelines on the export of weapons and war materials emphasize the need for strict control to prevent the escalation of conflicts and abuse of human rights. (…) Portugal must guarantee that the country does not serve as a platform to transport weapons for Israel to use to prolong these indiscriminate attacks,” reads the explanatory memorandum presented by Livre.
Livre asked the Government to initiate “bilateral and international diplomatic efforts to promote a peace agreement in the region, fostering a peaceful and lasting solution, based on mutual respect and compliance with international law” and that this impediment to access to national ports be reported to the international community “demonstrating Portugal’s commitment to peace, security and human rights.”
The parliamentary group of Livre also recalled the Spanish Government’s announcement that “it would not allow ships carrying cargoes of war material destined for Israel to dock in Spanish ports.”“.
Source: Observadora
