JS de Guimarães criticized the reception of the Israeli ambassador by the president of the Municipal Chamber, Ricardo Araújo, which took place at the Paços do Concelho as part of a broader set of audiences with approximately 13 ambassadors from different countries, during the investiture session of the Academy of Diplomacy at the Paço dos Duques de Bragança. According to a note from the municipality, the meeting addressed areas such as innovation, technology, civil protection, qualification of human resources, and attraction of investment.
The young socialists consider that, given the "ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip," the "destruction of a territory," the "death and displacement of thousands of civilians," and the "serious violations of International Humanitarian Law," the institutional representatives of the municipality "have an increased responsibility in how they conduct and communicate meetings of this nature." JS questions the "normalization of cooperation relations" without any reference to the suffering of the Palestinian people and calls for no economic or investment opportunity to be placed "above human life and human rights."
The position of JS joins that of the Left Bloc of Guimarães, which also expressed opposition to the reception of the Israeli ambassador, arguing that institutional rapprochement should not be treated as a "normal relationship" in the current context. BE also demanded that Ricardo Araújo clarify the objectives of the meeting and the position of the municipality regarding the alleged violations of international law.
Confronted with the criticism, Ricardo Araújo guaranteed that he will continue to receive "all ambassadors" accredited in Portugal, including the Israeli one, defending that the only criterion followed by the municipality is official diplomatic recognition by the Portuguese State. The mayor framed these meetings within the institutional responsibilities of the position and the strategy for the international projection of the municipality.
