“At this moment, the State, from the information I have, is doing everything it can. I must say that I had to do it many times when I was Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities, which is to ensure diplomatic and consular protection for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances or even in these circumstances,” said José Luís Carneiro to journalists in Estremoz, on the sidelines of a campaign action for the local elections.
When asked about whether he agrees with the Government’s actions regarding the three Portuguese members of the humanitarian flotilla headed for Gaza who were detained by Israeli authorities, the Socialist leader noted that these are state matters and they “have the support of the Socialist Party.”
“I do not make value judgments about what are individual actions in the expression of freedom, autonomy, and also responsibility that people assume in their personal lives,” he replied when asked if, from a political standpoint, he saw himself reflected in the actions of these three Portuguese, among whom is the BE coordinator, Mariana Mortágua.
According to José Luís Carneiro, “the Portuguese Government must do everything to ensure diplomatic and consular protection for the Portuguese in those situations,” adding that one of these “Portuguese is even a holder of a sovereign body.”
When questioned about why he did not respond to questions on this topic the day before, despite journalists’ persistence both before and after the detention, Carneiro explained that “a reaction from the parliamentary group was expected,” João Torres, of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The PS leader was also asked whether he had spoken to the Portuguese Government or the BE about this matter but declined to respond.
Confronted with countries that have adopted a more critical stance towards Israel, the PS leader noted that “in the matter of foreign policy, there is a dialogue between the Government and the Socialist Party.”
“And the positions we have taken are consistent with what is the position of the Portuguese State, adopted both within the framework of the United Nations and within the framework of the European Union, and, therefore, there is an understanding and a dialogue and cooperation, as is evident in the declaration made by the Socialist Party regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine,” he said.
The Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, today described the participation of Portuguese in the humanitarian flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip as propagandist and irresponsible, emphasizing that he is always “on the side of democracy and freedom.”
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will receive today in an audience a delegation from the Left Bloc, at the request of the party led by Mariana Mortágua, who was detained by Israel on Wednesday night.
The spokesperson for the Italian group of activists participating in the humanitarian action “Global Sumud” (Global Resistance, in Arabic), Maria Elena Delia, declared today that 39 ships of the flotilla intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are still heading for the Gaza Strip, with some smaller ships expected to have the same destination.
Among the detainees are the Left Bloc coordinator, Mariana Mortágua, Portuguese actress Sofia Aparício, and activist Miguel Duarte.
[News updated at 11:43 AM]
