I cannot allow all you people to die. Many of you are Jews, and our constitution clearly states that neither the religion nor the political beliefs of foreigners can be used as a pretext for refusing to allow them to stay in Portugal. I've decided to be faithful to that principle, but I shan't resign for all that. The only way I can respect my faith as a Christian is to act in accordance with the dictates of my conscience.


Quoted in The Independent, Sunday 17 October 2010

Independent Sousa Mendes saved more lives than Schindler so why isn't he a household name too?

Aristides de Sousa Mendes Quotes

I cannot allow all you people to die. Many of you are Jews, and our constitution clearly states that neither the religion nor the political beliefs...

I cannot allow all you people to die. Many of you are Jews, and our constitution clearly states that neither the religion nor the political beliefs...

I cannot allow all you people to die. Many of you are Jews, and our constitution clearly states that neither the religion nor the political beliefs...

I cannot allow all you people to die. Many of you are Jews, and our constitution clearly states that neither the religion nor the political beliefs...