In New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Paulo Rangel emphasized that “there is no extra plan” in response to reports of intimidating explosions against the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid, highlighting that the “risks are known, everyone is aware of them.”
Nevertheless, Portugal has been in contact with the Italian authorities so that the frigates sent by that country can provide consular and humanitarian protection to the three Portuguese citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Portugal will not follow the path of Spain and Italy, which announced the dispatch of military ships for “possible rescue operations” to the pro-Palestinian flotilla, which alleges it was attacked on Tuesday night off the coast of Greece.
“The Portuguese State has done everything it committed to, no more, no less, from the start, which is consular protection, which also means humanitarian protection if necessary. This is what it is doing now through collaboration with the Italian authorities,” stated Paulo Rangel.
The decision by Spain and Italy followed an announcement from the organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave, that the assembly of 51 vessels was targeted by explosions and several drones on Tuesday while sailing off the Greek coast.
Israel assured today that the Navy is prepared to intercept the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs stressed today that the Italian authorities managed a mediation agreement with the Israeli authorities and the Catholic Church, through which the humanitarian aid carried by the flotilla could be left in Cyprus and later transported to Gaza by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
“Therefore, this is a solution to deliver the humanitarian aid to Gaza this way, avoiding other risks. This is advice, a recommendation from the Italian authorities, who are available to provide the necessary humanitarian consular support not only to Portuguese citizens but also, for example, Belgian citizens,” Paulo Rangel told Lusa in New York.
The minister admitted concern about “taking great risks,” when there is now a viable alternative to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, today urged the Global Sumud Flotilla to accept the plan to deliver the humanitarian cargo in Cyprus for safety reasons.
The official explained that “once they leave international waters and enter another State’s waters, safety cannot be guaranteed.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of about 50 ships with activists, politicians, journalists, and doctors from over 40 nationalities, including three Portuguese: the deputy Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte, and actress Sofia Aparício.
On Wednesday, after the last drone attack on the flotilla, Matiana Mortágua called for social mobilization in Portugal to pressure the government to protect this mission.
“Your mobilization and ability to pressure the Portuguese government, which has been among the governments with the more timid, even shameful reactions towards the flotilla and its protection, your pressure is essential to ensure the safety of this flotilla, a humanitarian corridor, and to contribute to ending the genocide,” Mariana Mortágua urged in a video posted on her official Instagram account.
