The coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE), Mariana Mortágua, accused the Portuguese Government of “cowardice” for refusing to support the flotilla heading to Gaza, which includes not only the BE leader but also activist Miguel Duarte and actress Sofia Aparício.
“I think all Portuguese should feel frustrated, sad,” said Mariana Mortágua speaking to SIC Notícias from Barcelona. “The cowardice of the Portuguese Government, compared to the Spanish government, other European governments, and Latin American governments, is indescribable,” she stated.
The BE leader expressed dismay at the government’s lack of courage to take a position, reiterating, “It is a cowardice we did not expect.”
On the day the first 30 boats departed from Barcelona, Mariana Mortágua spoke of “immense hope” and the “certainty” that the Israeli blockade of Gaza will be broken.
It is notable that yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, asserted that the State has no obligation under international law to accompany and protect the flotilla attempting to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and break the Israeli siege preventing any assistance from entering the Palestinian enclave. “It’s something that seems unusual to me,” he told Lusa.
During an informal ministerial meeting under the Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union in Copenhagen, Paulo Rangel explained that the initiative is from civil society and that “the Portuguese State did not organize this mission, the Portuguese State is not bound to this mission.” He added, “We are not going to position the Portuguese Navy fleet to accompany this flotilla or to spark a war against Israel, I don’t really know what is intended,” reminding that the parliamentary immunity of the Left Bloc’s coordinator does not grant Mariana Mortágua diplomatic immunity.
“The initiative is certainly commendable, the organizers themselves have stated that it has a symbolic nature, and that is understandable, the situation of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is truly terrible, and I understand that everyone, in their own way, chooses to use the means they believe they should, but it is an initiative of civil society,” he commented.
“Another thing entirely, but this is due to any Portuguese citizen, there is no exceptionality here, not even for being a Member of Parliament,” he added, ensuring diplomatic protection for the three Portuguese attempting to penetrate the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
In a related move, the Spanish government assured that it will provide diplomatic protection to the flotilla, as it has in the past. “On other occasions, with other flotillas, of course, we were in contact with the authorities and their members, and we implemented full diplomatic and consular protection. This time it will be the same,” said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares to Rac1, as cited by El Mundo.
The humanitarian fleet bound for Gaza, named Global Sumud Flotilla, will comprise about 50 boats carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of people on board, including activists and public figures from 44 countries. The organization describes it as the “largest solidarity mission in history.”
The boats that left Barcelona today will be joined by others on September 4 in Tunis, originating from various Mediterranean ports. The organization estimates that the journey to Gaza will take about two weeks.
Three Portuguese will be part of the Global Sumud Flotilla: Deputy Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte, and actress Sofia Aparício. Also confirmed are world-renowned figures such as Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, American actress Susan Sarandon, and Irish actor Liam Cunningham.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is an initiative of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Freedom Flotilla, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Nusantara Sumud Convoy, and the Global Movement for Gaza, along with other international organizations.
Israel has been conducting a military offensive in the Gaza Strip since an attack by the Islamist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, which caused about 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages.
According to figures released by the authorities in the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has already resulted in over 63,000 deaths.
On August 22, the UN officially declared famine in Gaza City after experts warned that 500,000 people are in a catastrophic situation.
