Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Portugal
Portugal: its Jewish community, the Sephardic nationality law, the Abramovich case and recognition of Palestine
Portugal's Jewish community numbers about 3,100, most of whom live in Lisbon, according to the World Jewish Congress (WJC).[1] Portugal recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025.[2] Its 2015 law offering citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews was used by Roman Abramovich, who became a Portuguese citizen in April 2021.[3]
Jewish community
The Jewish Community of Lisbon (Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa) is the WJC's affiliate; there are smaller communities in Porto, Belmonte and the Algarve. Lisbon also has Chabad Lubavitch of Portugal and a Masorti congregation.[1]
Chabad
- Main article: Chabad-Lubavitch movement
The WJC notes Chabad Lubavitch of Portugal in Lisbon.[1]
Sephardic nationality law and the Abramovich case
A law passed in 2013 and enacted in 2015 allows descendants of Sephardic Jews persecuted and exiled during the Inquisition to acquire Portuguese citizenship; according to the WJC, nearly 1,800 people acquired it in 2017, with another 12,000 applications pending.[1] Applications are assessed by the Jewish communities of Lisbon or Porto. In March 2022 Daniel Litvak, rabbi of the Porto community, who was responsible for assessing Abramovich's application, was detained on suspicion of money laundering, corruption, fraud and falsification of documents in the granting of citizenship; the Porto community denied wrongdoing and said that it was the target of a smear campaign.[3] Portugal tightened the law in March 2022 to require an "effective connection with Portugal", without retroactive effect.[4] In September 2022 the Lisbon Court of Appeal revoked the restrictions imposed on Litvak, saying that there was "not a single fact" to support a key part of the prosecution's case.[5]
Israeli state and commercial ties
Diplomacy
The Israeli foreign ministry's 2011 list of missions records relations with Portugal as established in January 1977, with "Israel" represented by its embassy in Lisbon.[6] The WJC says that the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1977. The Israeli embassy is at Rua António Enes 16-4, 1050-025 Lisbon.[1]
Recognition of Palestine
On 21 September 2025 Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announced at Portugal's mission to the UN in New York that "the Portuguese State officially recognises the Palestinian State". The government said that the decision was meant to contribute to a two-state solution and reiterated "Israel"'s right to exist and its security needs.[2]
Arms trade
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) records Portuguese purchases of Spike missiles and CARDOM mortars for Pandur-2 vehicles (2006), M-2022 maritime patrol radars (2006–2007), Litening pods (2008) and Spike-LR2 missiles (2024).[7]
Trade
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics reports that "Israel" imported goods worth $396.7 million from Portugal in 2025 (2024: $324.0 million) and exported goods worth $92.1 million to it (2024: $67.9 million).[8]
Political interference
UN voting
Portugal voted in favour of the September 2025 General Assembly resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution.[9]
See also
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Austria
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Czechia
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Hungary
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Poland
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Slovakia
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Spain
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Switzerland
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 World Jewish Congress, Community in Portugal worldjewishcongress.org, accessed 25 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Government of Portugal, Portugal formally recognises the Palestinian State portugal.gov.pt, 21 September 2025, accessed 25 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 BBC News, Roman Abramovich: Rabbi investigated over Portuguese citizenship BBC, March 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.
- ↑ Reuters, Portugal to adjust law that let Abramovich get citizenship, minister says Reuters, 16 March 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Porto Rabbi wins appeal in case helping Roman Abramovich get Portuguese passport The Jewish Chronicle, September 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.
- ↑ Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations mfa.gov.il, archived 5 August 2011.
- ↑ Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, SIPRI Arms Transfers Database SIPRI, trade register for Israel as supplier, 1950–2025, data generated 20 October 2026.
- ↑ Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports CBS, December 2025 issue (library copy).
- ↑ United Nations General Assembly, Recorded vote on A/80/L.1/Rev.1: Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, 12 September 2025 (copy hosted by Al-Quds Al-Arabi).