The diplomatic efforts between Palestine and Portugal are gaining up strength in the past few months. Rawan Tarek Sulaiman was appointed the new Palestinian ambassador to Portugal on September 23, 2024. By exhibiting her credentials to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal, she made it clear that Palestine wants to strengthen its relationship with Portugal. The situation in the Middle East is also getting a lot of attention around the world at the same time she arrives.
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Rawan Sulaiman’s Diplomatic Background
Rawan Sulaiman has a long history in diplomacy. She began her professional career with the Ministry of International Cooperation in Palestine. Sulaiman has taken on various important roles over the years. She represented Palestine in The Hague recently.
She participated in signing an important agreement with the Holy See in 2015. The agreement was regarded as an important step in relationships between Palestine and the Vatican. Now, Sulaiman hopes to build on these experiences as ambassador to Portugal.
She also worked with international organizations like the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) there.
Her goals are to develop collaboration based on international law and fortify relations between the two countries in every aspect.
Sulaiman has not yet made a detailed statement on the current situation in the Middle East. But her experience shows that she will focus on diplomacy and international law in her role.
Her prior experience with international organizations places her in a strong position to handle the complex issues that Palestine is currently facing.
Portugal’s Role In Middle East Conflict
Portugal has an extensive record of using diplomacy to resolve international conflicts. It supports EU foreign policy which involves Middle East issues as a member of the EU.
Portugal has expressed support for the two state solution which involves an independent Palestine state with Israel. It has also contributed to peacemaking efforts.
It is hoped that Sulaiman will strengthen the currently strong ties between Palestine and Portugal. The two countries will work together on a variety of issues including human rights, international law, and development projects. Portugal will be able to support Middle East peace efforts if this partnership is strengthened.
UN Criticism Of Israeli Actions
Francesca Albanese the UN representative for Palestine made strong remarks regarding the Middle East crisis simultaneously with Sulaiman’s visit to Portugal.
She said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acts with impunity and questioned his policies in an interview. She raised concern over Israel’s military operations in Palestine and Lebanon.
Albanese highlighted:
If this way of conducting war – of absurdly using heavy bombing and disproportionate military attacks that target one militant and kill hundreds of civilians – is accepted, this will be the new way of conducting wars. Now, in Lebanon, Israel is applying the same manual, saying that all the Lebanese who have died are human shields or collateral damage.
Albanese highlighted that Israeli forces often target militants, but the result is the deaths of many civilians. She argued that this is a dangerous trend in modern warfare.
For example, severe warfare in Gaza has caused significant displacement. According to Albanese, 90% of Gaza’s population has been evacuated as a result of the continuing conflict.
Albanese said:
And the outlook is worse than I could have thought, than all of us could have thought, if Israel is not stopped. Israel must be stopped… Hostilities must stop and a ceasefire must be imposed, as well as an arms embargo
She also expressed a warning about the possibility of ethnic cleansing. According to Albanese, Israel is using the current conflict as a way to remove Palestinians from their land. She warned that if no action is taken things will get worse.
The Role Of The United States And Europe
Albanese also crtisized the international community’s response to the conflict. She argued that the United States has provided significant military, financial, and political support to Israel. This support has allowed Israel to continue its military actions without facing any consequences.
Albanese added:
The United States is behind and accompanying Israel – it’s almost impossible to distinguish one from the other, apart from the fact that it is Israel that has the boots on the ground. But the United States is totally involved in what Israel is doing. They have given political, military and financial support, and this is where I really don’t understand what Europe is doing.
Albanese also condemned Europe for not taking any action against Israel. She criticized European governments as sitting on their hands while the violence deteriorated.
Albanese was disappointed that despite Europe being very close to the Middle East the continent failed to resolve the conflict. She urged Europe to take a step forward and call for a ceasefire and uphold a weapons prohibition.
She added:
Europe is absent and, at best, is sitting on its hands. I’m sorry to see that. The Middle East is very close to us [as Europeans]. Let’s separate the issue of human rights from humanity.
Albanese’s remarks highlight that Europe is quiet on the Middle East problem. Portugal and other European nations are physically near to the area but they have not done much to push for a settlement. Instead, Europe frequently depends on diplomacy and calls to uphold international law.
Rawan Sulaiman’s arrival in Lisbon as Palestinian ambassador begins a new era in Palestine’s relations with Portugal. As the new ambassador, she has years of foreign diplomatic experience and a great desire to strengthen connections between the two countries.
At the same time, continuous criticism from people such as Francesca Albanese emphasizes the urgent need for global action to solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem.
