• Portugal could recognize the State of Palestine as early as September at the UN General Assembly.
• Prime Minister Luis Montenegro emphasizes consultation with the president and parliament before finalizing the decision.
• The move follows similar announcements from other countries, including France and the UK.
• Global concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza has influenced Portugal's cautious approach.
• Over 144 UN member states currently recognize Palestine as a state.

Portugal is planning to recognize the State of Palestine, potentially during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in September, according to sources from Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's office. This call for recognition comes amidst increasing concerns regarding humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Israel's actions, particularly the mentioned possibility of annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel, according to aa, lemonde, and trtglobal.

The Prime Minister stated that the decision will involve consultations with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the major political parties to establish a unified position before proceeding. This cautious approach differentiates Portugal from its neighbor Spain, which recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, reports reuters and middleeasteye.

Portugal's deliberation aligns with broader international developments, as several countries, including France, the UK, and Canada, have voiced intentions to recognize Palestine, highlighting a shift in European attitudes toward the Palestinian cause. Notably, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the urgency of this recognition amidst worsening humanitarian crises in Gaza, according to lemonde, trtglobal, and middleeasteye.

As discussions unfold, it is notable that out of 193 UN member states, approximately 144 have already recognized Palestine, reflecting a significant international consensus despite the historical hesitation among EU nations, per reuters and aa.