National Theatre D. Maria II calls for recognition of Palestinian State

"At this moment, no [reality] is more glaring than the continued massacre of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including thousands of children. This reality constitutes an open wound in the world's conscience," the national theater, with artistic direction by Pedro Penim, declared in a statement.

Stressing that "a theater is not an island," the artistic direction states that "art and culture must not be complicit in omission or indifference," and therefore declares solidarity "with all the victims of this conflict, and in particular with the Palestinian people, whose collective existence is at risk."

"We join the demand for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, full access to humanitarian aid, international accountability for the crimes committed, the release of all hostages, and recognition of the Palestinian State," the press release reads.

This position will be made public at the end of the 2024/2025 season, with the national theater admitting that it felt compelled "to break the silence".

"For months, the D. Maria II National Theater has remained silent on the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. This stance, given the failures of international diplomacy, has become unsustainable and morally unacceptable over time and as the humanitarian catastrophe worsens," he said.

The most recent phase of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, with attacks carried out by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in southern Israel, which caused around 1,200 deaths and more than two hundred hostages.

Israel's retaliation to these attacks has already left more than 59,000 dead, mostly civilians, destroyed almost all of Gaza's infrastructure, and caused the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

Furthermore, it included imposing a blockade on essential goods in Gaza, such as food, drinking water, medicine and fuel.

More than a hundred non-governmental organizations have warned of the advancing famine in the Gaza Strip, stating that even humanitarian workers "are slowly dying."

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