The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, described the mistreatment claims by activists detained by Israel as “confusion.”
Speaking to journalists in Lisbon, Rebelo de Sousa noted that “the impression reaching Portugal was that there was no structure prepared” to accommodate the many detainees, especially the nearly 500 aboard the flotilla. The issues extended beyond accommodations to include a lack of “water and provisions.”
“There were several disturbances causing some participants, or some of their countries, to complain about this very sensitive confusion at the second port, during the transfer to the detention center, and during their stay there,” he argued.
When asked about a viral video showing Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, shouting and labeling flotilla participants as terrorists, Rebelo de Sousa remarked that this was a “very heated reaction.”
The Portuguese head of state acknowledged possible “irritation,” considering many participants were from countries that had recently recognized the state of Palestine, including Portugal.
Rebelo de Sousa also addressed comments made by the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, José Luís Carneiro, who indicated that it is “easier” to approve the State Budget because contentious topics were omitted.
He understood Carneiro’s statement, explaining that “the Government decided to move forward with separate legislative proposals from the Budget,” ensuring that “everything that could provoke controversy” is not included in the document, such as IRS matters and even labor reform.
“Therefore, by not being there, the vote on the budget contains major principles and the core of the state’s financial organization. Everything else is voted on autonomously in other laws,” the President stated, making Carneiro’s declaration understandable.
