Portugal is part of a group of 12 countries that announced the intention to restrict trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This international coalition includes, in addition to Portugal, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. These nations confirmed they are considering implementing additional measures to halt trade with the settlements.
Amnesty International reacted to the decision with a positive but critical assessment. The organization's Senior Director of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, described the initiative as "a welcome, albeit long-overdue, development", warning that current efforts do not fully comply with the International Court of Justice guidelines, which in July 2024 urged States not to provide assistance in maintaining the Israeli occupation.
The humanitarian organization advocates for the application of direct sanctions against senior Israeli Government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel Katz and Orit Strock. The proposed measures include asset freezes, travel bans and arms transfers, accusing these politicians of direct involvement in the forced transfer of Palestinian populations.
Amnesty International also called for structural intervention by the European Union, requesting that Member States pressure the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to implement a comprehensive community-wide trade ban and suspend the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel. The official concluded that "there is no longer room for excuses, delays or half measures."
