Portugal’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa shut down the Palestinian Ambassador to Portugal in a heated exchange over who started the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
During a discussion with reporters, Mr de Sousa was confronted by the Palestinian Ambassador to Portugal, Nabil Abuznaid in front of live cameras and microphones.
The Portuguese leader said: “Radicalism creates an ambiance of radicalism, and this time the radicalism started from some Palestinians.”
This infuriated Mr Abuznaid, who said that this was “not an excuse for the brutal reaction” from Israel.
He pointed to the devastating death toll in the Gaza Strip, which the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza put at more than 9,400 people since October 7.
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However, the Portuguese leader did not back down, telling the ambassador to his face: “I know you blame the Israelis, but this time someone from your side started it.
“The Palestinian side started it. You can’t blame Israel, you shouldn’t have started it.”
Mr Abuznaid responds: “Mr. President, we have lived under occupation for 56 years!”
Mr de Sousa then turns his back on the diplomat and says: “I know, but you shouldn’t have started. Anyway, let’s see what happens.”
Within Portugal, the remarks drew a backlash with several politicians saying that the leader had “shamed” the country.
Meanwhile, the crisis appears no closer to ending today as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met leaders from Arab states in Amman.
In a press conference along the US diplomat, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Blinken disagreed, saying it would allow Hamas to “regroup and repeat” its 7 October attack, causing an awkward end to the visit.
