https://powerbase.info/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Jewish%2C_Zionist_and_Israeli_connections_to_PortugalJewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Portugal - Revision history2026-10-26T00:25:13ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.35.14https://powerbase.info/index.php?title=Jewish,_Zionist_and_Israeli_connections_to_Portugal&diff=296621&oldid=prevGeography Bot: New page: Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections (Europe wave 4b W4b); every reference checked2026-10-25T13:25:36Z<p>New page: Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections (Europe wave 4b W4b); every reference checked</p>
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{{short description|'''Portugal: its Jewish community, the Sephardic nationality law, the Abramovich case and recognition of Palestine'''}}<br />
'''Portugal''''s Jewish community numbers about 3,100, most of whom live in Lisbon, according to the [[World Jewish Congress]] (WJC).<ref name="WJCPT">World Jewish Congress, [https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/PT Community in Portugal] ''worldjewishcongress.org'', accessed 25 October 2026.</ref> Portugal recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025.<ref name="GovPT2025">Government of Portugal, [https://portugal.gov.pt/en/gc25/communication/news/portugal-formally-recognises-the-palestinian-state Portugal formally recognises the Palestinian State] ''portugal.gov.pt'', 21 September 2025, accessed 25 October 2026.</ref> Its 2015 law offering citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews was used by [[Roman Abramovich]], who became a Portuguese citizen in April 2021.<ref name="BBCPT2022">BBC News, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60724509 Roman Abramovich: Rabbi investigated over Portuguese citizenship] ''BBC'', March 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.</ref><br />
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==Jewish community==<br />
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.<ref name="WJCPT" /><br />
===Chabad===<br />
:''Main article: [[Chabad-Lubavitch movement]]''<br />
The WJC notes Chabad Lubavitch of Portugal in Lisbon.<ref name="WJCPT" /><br />
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==Sephardic nationality law and the Abramovich case==<br />
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.<ref name="WJCPT" /> 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.<ref name="BBCPT2022" /> Portugal tightened the law in March 2022 to require an "effective connection with Portugal", without retroactive effect.<ref name="ReutersPT2022">Reuters, [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-change-law-that-allowed-abramovich-get-citizenship-minister-says-2022-03-16/ Portugal to adjust law that let Abramovich get citizenship, minister says] ''Reuters'', 16 March 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.</ref> 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.<ref name="JCPT2022">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/news/world/judge-removes-restrictions-on-rabbi-accused-of-helping-abramovich-get-passport-tjtb5z7v Porto Rabbi wins appeal in case helping Roman Abramovich get Portuguese passport] ''The Jewish Chronicle'', September 2022, accessed 25 October 2026.</ref><br />
==Israeli state and commercial ties==<br />
===Diplomacy===<br />
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.<ref name="MFA2011">Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110805075305/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/about%20the%20ministry/diplomatic%20missions/Israel-s%20Diplomatic%20Missions%20Abroad Diplomatic Missions Abroad: Status of relations] ''mfa.gov.il'', archived 5 August 2011.</ref> 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.<ref name="WJCPT" /><br />
===Recognition of Palestine===<br />
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.<ref name="GovPT2025" /><br />
===Arms trade===<br />
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).<ref name="SIPRI">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, [https://armstransfers.sipri.org SIPRI Arms Transfers Database] ''SIPRI'', trade register for Israel as supplier, 1950–2025, data generated 20 October 2026.</ref><br />
===Trade===<br />
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).<ref name="CBS">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2026/fr_trade12_2025/td1.pdf Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports] ''CBS'', December 2025 issue (library copy).</ref><br />
==Political interference==<br />
===UN voting===<br />
Portugal voted in favour of the September 2025 General Assembly resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution.<ref name="UNNY2025">United Nations General Assembly, [https://www.alquds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Voting-rec-L.1-Rev.1.pdf 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'').</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Austria]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Czechia]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Hungary]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Poland]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Slovakia]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Spain]]<br />
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Switzerland]]<br />
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==Notes==<br />
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[[Category:Zionist movement|Portugal]]<br />
[[Category:Portugal]]<br />
[[Category:Europe|Portugal]]</div>Geography Bot