Overview

• The Portuguese government has formally begun consulting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and parliament on recognizing Palestine during the UN General Assembly high-level week in September.
• The decision follows a UN high-level conference in New York from July 28 to 30 that pressed for renewed momentum toward a two-state settlement.
• Lisbon’s review will weigh Palestinian Authority commitments on condemning Hamas, disarming its factions, pursuing institutional reforms and holding future elections.
• France, the United Kingdom and Canada have signaled plans to recognize Palestine at the same session, joining earlier declarations by Spain, Ireland and Norway.
• UN agencies, led by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, have warned of a life-threatening humanitarian collapse in Gaza driven by severe food and medical shortages.