Portugal Officially Recognizes State of Palestine; Renames Mission in Lisbon as Embassy

In a historic diplomatic move reflecting Portugal’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Lisbon has officially been renamed the Embassy of the State of Palestine during a ceremony held in the Portuguese capital this week.

The event celebrated Portugal’s official recognition of the State of Palestine on September 21, a decision widely hailed as a reaffirmation of international support for Palestinian rights and statehood under international law.

The ceremony, organized by the newly designated Embassy of the State of Palestine, was attended by senior representatives from the Portuguese Presidency, Prime Minister’s Office, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, and the Palestinian community in Portugal.

Addressing attendees, Ambassador Rawan Suleiman, Palestine’s envoy to Portugal, described the occasion as a “historic step in the path of international recognition of the Palestinian people’s rights.”

“This decision reflects Portugal’s principled and consistent stance in support of international law and justice,” she said, emphasizing that it sends “a message of hope to the Palestinian people amid difficult times, and a clear signal that the world continues to believe in the right of peoples to freedom and self-determination.”

Portugal’s recognition of the State of Palestine in September placed it among a growing number of European nations that have formally recognized Palestinian statehood. The move was welcomed across the Arab world and by international observers as a significant expression of solidarity amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), the renaming of the mission’s headquarters to “Embassy of the State of Palestine” symbolizes the transition from diplomatic representation to full state-level recognition, a shift carrying both political and symbolic weight.

Portugal’s decision follows similar recognitions by Spain, Ireland, and Norway earlier this year, signaling a broader European push to reaffirm the two-state solution and international consensus around Palestinian statehood.

For Palestinian officials, Lisbon’s move underscores growing European support for renewed peace efforts and a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on United Nations resolutions.

The ceremony in Lisbon concluded with a cultural segment attended by members of the Palestinian diaspora, solidarity groups, and Portuguese officials. Attendees described the event as a celebration of “recognition, resilience, and the enduring friendship between the Portuguese and Palestinian peoples.”

“This is not only a diplomatic achievement,” Ambassador Suleiman said, “but a moment that reaffirms faith in the principles of justice, equality, and the right to live in dignity and peace.”