Palestine Embassy in Portugal Commemorates Independence Declaration and Solidarity Day with Our People

SadaNews - The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Portugal commemorated the anniversary of the independence declaration and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people with a national event in Lisbon. The event witnessed the presence of representatives from the presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Portuguese government, as well as representatives from various parties in the Portuguese parliament, ambassadors, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Portugal, civil society organizations, movements of solidarity with the Palestinian people, in addition to members of the Palestinian community.

After the national anthems of Portugal and Palestine were played, a video was shown depicting the children of Gaza in scenes embodying the enduring pain and the unforgettable souls, illustrating the ongoing brutal genocide in Gaza.

Among the attendees were Palestinians who also hold Portuguese citizenship and have lost their children and families in Gaza, serving as a living testimony to the extent of the Palestinian pain and suffering. This added greater impact to the presentation, making the message of solidarity clearer and deeper.

In her speech, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Ambassador Rawan Suleiman, expressed her appreciation for the official and popular positions in Portugal supporting the Palestinian people, praising Portugal's recognition of the State of Palestine and emphasizing that global solidarity remains a fundamental factor in protecting rights and promoting justice.

On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, the ambassador awarded the Peace Star Medal to Elda Figueiredo, a well-known activist and former member of the Portuguese and European parliaments, and the former president of the Portuguese Council for Cooperation and Peace, in recognition of her long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and her humanitarian positions, symbolizing the importance of supporting Portuguese solidarity movements for the just cause of Palestine.

The Ambassador and the Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal, along with Zain Qattan, a prominent figure in the Palestinian community, lit a candle on the occasion of the upcoming festive holidays, symbolizing hope and a call for security and peace for Palestine.

The evening included a musical segment presented by Palestinian artist Nizar Rouhana, who performed pieces on the oud that carried the spirit of Palestinian culture and the memory of the place, to which the audience reacted with evident emotion.

The venue was adorned with olive branches, symbolizing the olive picking season in Palestine and highlighting the suffering of our people from attacks by the occupation and its settlers during the olive harvest season, in addition to decorations of the Christmas tree associated with the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

The large attendance reflected the significance of the Palestinian cause in Portuguese and international awareness, confirming that the Palestinian issue remains ongoing, and the adherence to hope for a just and comprehensive peace is steadfast and unchanging.