“Other countries have called their Israeli ambassadors for consultations, demanding the release of their nationals who were illegally detained, and the Portuguese government did nothing,” stated Jorge Costa, leader of the Left Bloc (BE), at a protest attended by over 1,000 participants.
The leader criticized the Portuguese government for having a “careless attitude,” indicating a lack of concern, attention, or interest in the detained Portuguese nationals in the flotilla.
The solidarity movement with Palestine organized a protest against the Israeli attack on Wednesday against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of small boats carrying medicine and food intended for delivery to Gaza (a region where Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid).
Presidential candidate and former Left Bloc leader, Catarina Martins, was also present at the protest, declaring that “Israel may have stopped the flotilla, but it hasn’t stopped the sea of people here today.”
Member of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) Paula Santos told Lusa that the Portuguese government must “condemn the genocide in Gaza” and “cannot be complicit” in the war in Palestine.
Paula Santos also stated that the government must do everything within its power on behalf of those detained with the flotilla.
“The government must do everything it can to protect Portuguese citizens and demand their immediate release,” the deputy indicated.
The protest, organized by the solidarity movement with Palestine, commenced at 18:00 and included adults, youths, and children bearing the Palestinian flag, the symbolic Palestinian Keffiyeh scarf, and posters demanding “freedom for the flotilla,” “sanctions against Israel,” and “end the siege in Palestine” outside the Israeli Embassy.
Organizations supporting Palestine, such as Occupy for Gaza and the Solidarity Committee with Palestine, also known as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), attended the demonstration.
During the demonstration, which concluded around 20:30, speeches were made, and drums and chants like “Palestine will win” could be heard.
The solidarity movement with Palestine organized additional protests today, spanning from north to south of the country, starting between 18:00 and 19:00.
The actions took place in Aveiro, Braga, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Faro, Porto, Setúbal, and Viseu.
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of about 50 vessels heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, between the night of Wednesday and this morning. They detained participants, including four Portuguese citizens: Left Bloc leader Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício, and activists Miguel Duarte and Diogo Chaves.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed hope today that Portuguese citizens could return to the country “without incident,” acknowledging that the humanitarian flotilla’s message had been conveyed.
Additionally, 30 Spaniards, 22 Italians, 21 Turks, 12 Malaysians, 11 Tunisians, 11 Brazilians, and 10 French nationals, as well as citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and Colombia among others were detained – organizers reported a lack of information regarding the whereabouts of 443 mission participants.
The conflict in the Middle East was sparked by attacks led by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel.
Israel’s retaliation has already resulted in over 65,000 deaths, the destruction of nearly all regional infrastructure, and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
