The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has welcomed the decision of the Portuguese Parliament to recognise the 1948 Palestinian Nakba. 

Member of Hamas Political Bureau in Gaza, Basem Naim, hailed such move as a "new victory for the Palestinian people, added to a series of similar decisions adopted by other European parliaments."  

In a press statement Saturday, Naim said that he hoped that such states would take all measures needed to endorse Palestinian rights and support the Palestinian people in their struggle to end the occupation and achieve freedom and independence.  

The Hamas official called for unifying international efforts to protect Palestinian rights and stand up to the racist Israeli occupation government, which is working to undermine stability and wage a large-scale religious war in the region.  

On Friday evening, the Portuguese Parliament voted, by majority, on recognising the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, calling on the Portuguese government to take a clear stance on defending the Palestinian people's rights, as guaranteed by international conventions and laws.