After Spain, Ireland and Norway announced on Wednesday that they will recognize the State of Palestine as early as May 28, Portugal has been more cautious. The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, considered that "this is not the right time to take that step", while a source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country is trying to obtain the greatest possible consensus among the members of the European Union (EU). Even so, this position is not consensual, having motivated criticism from some parties. "They ask me: What about the step of recognition as a State? Portugal's position - which is not that of the Government, or Parliament or the President, but of Portugal as a whole - is to understand that this is not the right time to take that step. When it is appropriate, it will be appropriate", said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in statements to journalists. However, the Head of State pointed out that the country "has long defended, in line with the United Nations, the existence of two peoples, two States". Along the same lines, a source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Lusa that Portugal maintains its willingness to recognize Palestine as a State, but is trying to obtain the greatest possible consensus among the members of the EU. "It's just a matter of time", he assured. Even so, the coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE), Mariana Mortágua, criticized the words of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, having appealed for the President to speak " for himself ". "After Spain, Ireland and Norway move forward, Marcelo says that 'it is not the time' to recognize the State of Palestine. And that this is the position of 'Portugal as a whole'. Speak for yourself, Mr. President. Not in our name", she wrote on the social network X (Twitter). In turn, the general secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Paulo Raimundo, defended that the Government should not wait for the EU to recognize the State of Palestine, since, in his view, it would be a way of pressuring other Member States to do the same. "The Government persists in, just as the PS did, hiding behind an excuse that is losing a bit of strength. The excuse was: 'we want a solution in the EU, because what gives strength to this is a solution in the EU'. But the EU countries are recognizing one at a time", he said. The official went further, having reiterated that "the Portuguese people want to recognize quickly, once and for all", the State of Palestine. "The Government seems not to be very focused on that, but it is one of those things that, ultimately, pressured by the people, it has to decide. Otherwise, it will be isolated", he warned. The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, avoided commenting on the decision of Spain, Ireland and Norway, since the priority remains a ceasefire agreement, to accelerate the entry of humanitarian aid and to promote the release of the hostages held by Hamas, in addition to, in the long term, reaching a two-state solution. It should be noted that, in view of the announcement by Spain, Ireland and Norway, Israel called its ambassadors in these three countries for consultations. The position of these nations, applauded by Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, raised to 146 the number of member states of the United Nations that recognize the State of Palestine. Malta and Slovenia also said they could take this step soon, while Israel criticized all these decisions and said they will have a negative impact on the region. On the other hand, the far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, reiterated that Israel will not allow the declaration of Palestine as a State. Also Read: Palestine as a State? "This is not the right time. When it is, it will be" (Portuguese version)