Portugal MPs oppose Israeli FM's visit

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163169.html

Several Portuguese lawmakers have voiced their opposition to the presence of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Portugal's parliament.

Representatives from Portugal's leftist and communist parties strongly opposed Lieberman's presence in the parliament by calling him a radical as well as a racist.

They also condemned the inhumane policies of the Israeli regime against the people of Palestine.

Head of Portugal's Left Bloc parliamentary group Jose Manuel Pureza said that they cannot be indifferent towards Lieberman's visit to Portugal.

"We explicitly announce our opposition to Lieberman's stances. Israel should officially recognize the rights of Palestinians to a free and independent country according to the 1967 borders," he added.

The international community backs Palestinian demands for a state in most of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) - all territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.

Over 100 countries have endorsed the Palestinians' 1988 declaration of independent statehood. Among them, several Latin American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela have recognized an independent Palestinian state.

Paola Santos, head of Portugal's Communist Party parliamentary group, said that Portugal should officially recognize an independent Palestinian state.

"Portuguese people condemn Israel for undermining the rights of Palestinians. Israel should abide by the international regulations," she added.

Several members of human rights groups gathered in front of Portugal's Parliament in Lisbon in protest to Lieberman's visit to Portugal.