Pro-Palestinian protests in Lisbon draw ire from Israeli embassy

Israel’s celebrations to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of Israel were the target of abuse on Wednesday, with guests “harassed and abused” by activists, the Israeli embassy in Portugal has complained.

In a statement published on the website of the Israeli diplomatic mission in Lisbon, the Israeli embassy recalls that the protocol ceremony, which took place at Cinema São Jorge in a spirit of “peace, love and inclusion”, contrasted with the 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,” the document says.

“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.

In this sense, the Israeli diplomatic mission thanked “politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats and everyone who attended this event […] for supporting this message”.

According to the Israeli embassy in Lisbon, the ceremony took place 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”.

On Wednesday, around 200 pro-Palestinian activists demonstrated against the 76th anniversary celebrations, throwing bags of paint at guests preparing to enter the venue.

The protest, called by the Unity Platform in Solidarity with Palestine (PUSP), was accompanied by a strong police contingent, starting with the Rapid Intervention Team (EIR) and then the PSP Intervention Corps, with no clashes reported.

(José Sousa Dias – edited by Pedro Sousa Carvalho | Lusa.pt)

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