A letter signed by BE leader Jorge Costa, a member of the party’s Political Commission, addresses the “consummated violation of international law and the escalating threats against the Humanitarian Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip,” urging an urgent meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The party seeks to “understand the measures already taken by the Ministry to ensure the diplomatic protection of the mission and to propose contributions to strengthen the Portuguese State’s response in this regard.”
It is noted that “on Wednesday morning, seven vessels of the mission were attacked by drones off the coast of Greece,” with “devices deployed by the drones causing explosions in several vessels, disrupting communications, and significantly damaging one of the boats.”
“This action occurred merely hours after the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs threatened the mission and declared it would not allow its approach to Gaza territory. With the Humanitarian Flotilla about to leave Greek territorial waters and enter international waters, concerns for its safety increase,” warns the BE leader.
Jorge Costa emphasizes that among the vessels in the flotilla is the Portuguese-flagged ship “Barco Família,” carrying BE national coordinator Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício, and activist Miguel Duarte.
The BE representative argues that “the exposure of these nationals to a context of military attacks in international waters directly endangers their lives and physical integrity, as well as constitutes an affront to international law and the Portuguese Republic.”
“All these acts of intimidation are clear violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international law instruments that guarantee safe passage to civilian ships in international waters. For the Bloco de Esquerda, the immediate adoption of effective diplomatic measures is imperative to prevent further aggressions, ensure the integrity of the Flotilla, the safety of participants, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza population,” they urge.
Considering the “gravity of the facts and Portugal’s constitutional commitment to defending human rights and respecting international law,” the BE urges Paulo Rangel to “receive a delegation from the Bloco de Esquerda’s leadership as soon as possible.”
On Wednesday night, the BE national coordinator called for social mobilization in Portugal to pressure the Government to protect this mission.
“In Italy, where there was mobilization through strikes, the Italian government condemned the attacks on the flotilla yesterday and dispatched a Navy ship to safeguard and accompany the flotilla. In Spain, the Minister of Foreign Affairs publicly criticized the attacks on the flotilla and assured there would be consequences,” she exemplified.
The Global Sumud flotilla, comprising about 50 ships with activists, politicians, journalists, and doctors from over 40 nationalities, including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, is regarded as the largest organized flotilla to date.
