Carrying Palestinian flags and scarves, protesters hold signs with slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Thank you Marina, Sofia, Diogo, and Miguel for representing us.”
Outside the building, four police vans from the Public Security Police (PSP) are present, two of which belong to the Intervention Corps. The situation remains calm without any incidents or confrontations.
Media outlets are present in force, with cameras focused on the area typically used by international flight passengers.
Several activists stated that more protesters are expected to arrive.
Portuguese nationals who were part of the humanitarian flotilla Global Sumud have been repatriated by Israel and traveled from Tel Aviv to Madrid, from where they are now en route to Lisbon.
The Portuguese group arrived in Madrid at around 20:20 (one hour less in Lisbon), as part of a group of 29 activists, including four Portuguese, 21 Spanish, and four Dutch individuals.
Representing the government, the activists will be welcomed at the airport by the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa.
At 20:55, a plane operated by TAP and Israeli airline El Al from Tel Aviv landed at Humberto Delgado Airport, although it is unclear whether the flight was full.
The Portuguese ambassador in Tel Aviv, Helena Paiva, visited the detention center in Ketsiot, Israel, today to “ensure the successful development of the repatriation process,” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE).
Coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício, and activists Miguel Duarte and Diogo Chaves have been detained in Israel since Wednesday to Thursday night last week when Israeli forces intercepted approximately 50 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
