Paulo Rangel also regrets that the 27 member states did not approve sanctions against two far-right ministers, who are a "disruptive factor".
"The EU should be firmer; we have some capacity for pressure. Otherwise, it would be seen as indifference, and we cannot be indifferent," said Paulo Rangel during a hearing at the parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities.
For the head of Portuguese diplomacy, it is "very important to exert great pressure on Israel," where "radicalisation is underway and could jeopardise fragile balances."
"I regret that the Council on Foreign Relations [of the European Union] has not been able to impose sanctions on the ministers who are a factor of great instability and disruption," he said, referring to Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security) and Bezalel Smotrich (Finance).
Portugal Handbook
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
中文
Türkçe
Português
Czech
Hungarian
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Português (Brasil)
"Firmer pressure" for what reason? I suppose what is meant is that Israel is supposed to take a thrashing from its neighbors out of a sense of that recently-concocted fiction - proportionality. Just imagine what might have happened if the Allies had fought a "proportional" war with the Axis powers. So what the minister might be intending to suggest is that he thinks Israel is in the wrong and should allow itself to be decimated by certain of its neighbors. Notice however how he wants the "EU" to bully Israel into accord with certain conditions. But the EU is a paper tiger with a lot of mouth but no mettle. In which case, maybe Portugal should place "firmer pressure" on Israel; maybe like cutting off the supply of blueberries to Israel. Now that would bring the Jewish state to its knees. And I use the term "Jewish state" deliberately since many in the EU have a problem with that designation. Curious however that the "EU" has no problem with explicitly Islamic states across North Africa, the Near East, and those Islamic nations further on into southwest Asia. The EU position on foreign relations apparently is that 2+2=5 when it comes to Israel but that 2+2=4 when it comes to all its other favored positions.
By Tony from USA on 17 Jun 2026, 22:13
Dear Toney,
Your comment tries to mock Portugal's position, but it relies on false equivalences and sarcasm instead of facts.
1. Proportionality is international law, not a "fiction." It is enshrined in the Geneva Conventions to protect civilians. Comparing Israel's occupation to WWII is misleading—those were wars between states, not an occupation of a stateless people.
2. The EU is not a "paper tiger." It is one of Israel's biggest trading partners. The fact that it hesitates on sanctions shows political divisions, not weakness. Portugal's call for firmness is a principled stand, not hostility.
3. The "Islamic states" argument is a distraction. The EU does criticize human rights abuses elsewhere. But Israel receives massive Western support—and with that comes accountability.
4. Your "blueberry" sarcasm misses the point. This isn't about fruit. It's about occupation, settlements, and the denial of Palestinian rights. Mockery doesn't change reality.
5. The real double standard is this: Israel violates UN resolutions and maintains a nuclear arsenal with impunity, while others face sanctions for much less.
6. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are not just "disruptive." They have openly called for expulsion of Palestinians and supported illegal settlements. Condemning them is not bias—it's basic decency.
Portugal is not being anti-Israel. It is standing up for international law and a just peace. Dismissing that with sarcasm doesn't refute it—it only avoids the issue.
By Ramzi from Other on 18 Jun 2026, 10:33
It is way past time for all government leaders to stop funding Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. They have spied on all of us for decades and continue to take our tax dollars to murder, torture and rape thousands, all supposedly to “defend” themselves. Anyone who does not recognise this is either a supporter of their murder, torture and rape, or are completely deluded of facts. It is certain there have been atrocities committed by all sides, but none compare to what Israel has done and is doing. Of course, my home country, the UUSA (un-united states of america), along with Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and, yes, Portugal, have long histories at committing atrocities. Ultimately it is those world powers who can change what is happening in the world. All countries should be members of the International Court. Of course that would mean Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, Trump, Biden, Obama, Macron, and actually most all world leaders, current and former, that are still alive would be subject to prosecution for war crimes.
By JoeT from Algarve on 18 Jun 2026, 10:43
Tony, I guess it is fair to assume that you also agree with the Genocide of almost 80,000 outright murders of Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of which were women, children and older persons. And the West Bank, Lebanon, and other actions in Syria and others as part of the long standing Greater Israel Project which has been in progress for a long time.
The great news is that now, the world is waking-up to the Israeli behaviour and starting to push back. Tony, you should look into the pushback into your own country, including your president, who seems to be finally getting the point.
As a citizen of a country which is complicit to the Gaza Genocide and other events, you should not express criticism when it comes to the human concerns of some Portuguese politicians. On the other hand, if you have jewish connections, you should owe up to it, this would make your opinions understandable, but not necessarily acceptable.
Wishing the opportunity to educate yourself on these Israeli issues.
By JC from Beiras on 18 Jun 2026, 11:57
@Tony from the USA. I am the daughter of a German Jewish Holocaust survivor. I support Israel, but I do not support Netanyahu, his cronies, and the Jews that go to Israel from Long Island to take land from the Palestinian people, i.e. the settlers. What Netanyahu is doing is raising anti-Semitism throughout Europe, the US, and other parts of the world. The solution lies in two states, but since Trump and Netanyahu have decimated Gaza, they are now chomping on the bit to establish Trump and Kushner resorts there. They have killed thousands of civilians (72,000 thus far), including children. This is nothing to be proud of. I am horrified by what Israel is doing. One other thing, Netanyahu talked Trump into attacking Iran. Look where that got us and Israel. Both so called leaders are idiots.
By Jeannette Kortz from Lisbon on 18 Jun 2026, 12:41
Tony from USA; I agree absolutely with every word of your comment. The EU is a busted flush. Enough of their pseudo intellectual ideology. I pray for the day that this sinister,corrupt,authoritarian cartel vanishes into the oblivion it truly deserves.
By Les from Beiras on 18 Jun 2026, 17:55