The coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE), Mariana Mortágua, has asserted that the Government has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure the Humanitarian Flotilla departing for Gaza this week arrives safely. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) countered that the initiative is an autonomous civic enterprise, thus having no governmental ties or obligations.
“Participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla is an autonomous civil society initiative, which is not tied to the Portuguese State,” stated the entity overseen by Paulo Rangel, in a response to Observador.
The ministry further noted that, under international law, the Portuguese State bears no legal responsibility for protecting the ship or its crew.
Nevertheless, it assured that consular protection is provided, if necessary, to all Portuguese citizens abroad.
During a press conference on the Humanitarian Flotilla bound for Gaza to deliver aid and break the Israeli blockade, Mariana Mortágua confirmed that the three Portuguese participants (herself, actress Sofia Aparício, and activist Miguel Duarte) forwarded essential information on the mission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advocating that Portugal should ensure the safety of those involved.
The BE coordinator stated today that the Portuguese Government has a legal and moral obligation to use “all instruments” to ensure the Humanitarian Flotilla “arrives in Gaza safely and succeeds in delivering humanitarian aid” to Palestine.
Lusa | 18:40 – 26/08/2025
“We believe this is a legal mission under international law, and we believe the Portuguese Government […] has the moral, and also legal, obligation to use all efforts and instruments to ensure these boats arrive safely and can deliver humanitarian aid in Gaza,” she stated in Parliament.
The leader of BE emphasized that MPs from other countries and MEPs will join this mission, arguing that the more parliamentarians involved, “the harder it will be for the Israeli government to counter or block these boats,” as was the case with the Freedom Flotilla, which carried, among others, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Mariana Mortágua indicated that her decision to join the mission was influenced by her status as an MP, which grants her “diplomatic protection” beneficial to this mission.
Addressing the Foreign Affairs Minister’s remarks—who accused PS and BE of populism for defending Gaza, something they did not do when they led or influenced the Government—Mariana Mortágua responded that Paulo Rangel “has the obligation” to recognize Palestine “as quickly as possible,” adding that this delegation aims to “contribute to the Government taking that step.”
According to a statement from the Portuguese delegation’s organization for the initiative, the departure is scheduled for this week, with the Mediterranean journey expected to last about two weeks, concluding in mid-September in Gaza.
The leader of the Left Bloc has announced her journey to Gaza. Mortágua has faced criticism and defended her stance by emphasizing the importance of humanitarian aid.
Andrea Pinto with Lusa | 09:42 – 28/08/2025
