A parliamentary question directed at Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, highlighted a recent incident involving Israeli authorities intercepting and blocking the vessel ‘Madleen’. The ship, part of the international Freedom Flotilla movement, was reportedly stopped while in international waters as it was headed toward the Gaza Strip carrying humanitarian aid.
The Livre party emphasized the symbolic significance of the initiative, which challenges the Israeli blockade that restricts essential humanitarian assistance crucial for the survival of Gaza’s population. The action seeks to raise international awareness about the ongoing situation in the enclave.
The party argues that Israel is violating “basic principles of International Law” as well as the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in March 2024. They claim that, if the interception and blockade of ‘Madleen’ indeed occurred in international waters as reported, these actions, along with the detention of its crew—including a Member of the European Parliament—could constitute breaches of the International Law of the Sea.
The Livre party calls on the Portuguese State to fulfill its legal and moral obligations by taking all necessary actions to end the serious violations of International Law by Israel and to prosecute those responsible. They also urge measures to ensure that Portugal does not facilitate or collaborate in these violations, neither by act nor omission.
Amid these developments, the Livre party seeks clarification on the steps taken by the Portuguese Government in addressing the matter with Israel. This includes whether the Israeli Ambassador has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the interception and blockade of the vessel and to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of its crew.
The lawmakers are also interested in what actions Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government plans to take to ensure “urgent and significant” delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. They question whether the government intends to actively involve Portugal in ongoing international legal proceedings aimed at safeguarding the human rights of the Palestinian people and upholding International Law.
On Sunday, the Israeli government ordered its military to prevent the humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza from reaching the battered capital of the Palestinian enclave.
The order, issued by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, cautioned the Swedish activist and the crew aboard the ‘Madleen’, the Freedom Flotilla’s vessel heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, to turn back, as they would not be permitted to enter the enclave.
“I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act to prevent the ‘Madleen’ from reaching Gaza. To the anti-Semite Greta and her friends, I say clearly: turn back, for you will not reach Gaza,” Katz stated in remarks released by his office.
Katz further noted that Israel would not allow anyone to break the naval blockade on the Palestinian territory, which he claims is intended to stop Hamas from importing weapons.
The vessel, flying a British flag and part of the Freedom Flotilla coalition, departed a week ago from Sicily (Italy) bound for Gaza, aiming to “deliver humanitarian aid, break the Israeli blockade, and highlight the ongoing suffering in the Palestinian enclave.”
