Lisbon (Brussels Morning) – The Lusa Portuguese Association for Israel praises António Costa’s appointment as EU Council President, highlighting his role in EU-Israel relations and dismissing allegations of anti-Semitism from Porto’s Jewish Community as unfounded and divisive.
Why Did Porto’s Jewish Community Criticize António Costa’s Appointment?
The leaders of the Porto Jewish community asserted that the incoming President of the European Council, ‘’was engaged in the persecution of the strongest Jewish community in Portugal and behind the repeal of Portugal’s 2015 Nationality Law which given Portuguese citizenship to descendants of Jews forced to leave from the country in the 15th century and the following centuries.’’
“We think it is significant to make the story of those who are about to take on an important role in the EU known to the general public,” stated the president of the Jewish community of Porto Gabriel Senderowicz.
“The EU has a plan to help foster Jewish life over the coming years. However, this could be endangered by the appointment of a man who has a history of animosity towards Jews, the law, and the Jewish community and tried to shrink and attack it in his home country during his tenure as Prime Minister,’’ he said.
How Does ALPI Justify António Costa’s Appointment Amid Criticism?
On the other hand, there was an immediate reaction, through social networks, and today an official communication, with the Lusa Portuguese Association for Israel (ALPI) distancing itself from the statements of the Jewish Community of Porto, which yesterday came to state that the appointment of António Costa as president of the European Council was “an anti-Semitic coup”. Congratulating the choice of the former prime minister for the position, ALPI even underlines how “prestigious” it is for the country to appoint Costa to that position, where he will have “an essential role for the future of the EU and for the challenges we face today”.
How Will António Costa Address Security Challenges in EU-Israel Relations?
“The position of external representative of the EU in matters such as foreign and security affairs makes the role of Dr António Costa extremely important for the relations between the Union and the State of Israel, namely about the challenge faced by the latter on the issue of terrorism and the security of all member countries and their citizens, in the response that the Union may give to States or Organizations that promote terrorist activities”, stresses the document signed by Madalena Barata, president of ALPI, where it is also said that there is “not the slightest doubt” that the former ruler is “the best-prepared person for the position”, recalling the history of the Portuguese “in their ability to build bridges”.
The Association said that “In the context of today’s world which we consider to be an even greater challenge, we can only express our support and best wishes for success in this new mission.”
