Mariana Mortágua, Sofia Aparício, and Miguel Duarte were detained on Thursday by Israeli forces after their interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Despite plans for the humanitarian flotilla to reach Gaza around 6 a.m. today, the boats began being intercepted on Wednesday night.
On social media, where the activists have been sharing updates about their journey over the past month, Mortágua mentioned on Wednesday when they were 170 kilometers from Gaza, a distance she compared to traveling from Lisbon to Beja or from Braga to Coimbra in Portugal: “The interception points of almost all previous flotillas are now behind us.”
Presently, the organization’s last message on Telegram indicates that communications were “cut” and that livestreams were interrupted. The latest updates are available on the website, showing some boats still in navigation, with the most recent update made at 8 a.m. Lisbon time. You can check here.
On Tuesday night, as the flotilla neared Gaza, the Government urged Israel to refrain from “violence” against the dozens of boats in this humanitarian mission. “Portugal sent a message to the Israeli Government through the proper diplomatic channels, urging them not to use violence and to respect all the rights of those aboard the flotilla,” explained Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Thursday, when none of the three Portuguese members had yet been detained.
Mortágua and Aparício detained first (Miguel Duarte later)
The leader of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, and actress Sofia Aparício were the first to be detained, as confirmed on social media, where pre-prepared videos are shared when these humanitarian missions result in detentions. The sister of the Left Bloc leader also confirmed their detentions.
The moment the boat carrying Mortágua was approached was recorded, given that she was live streaming on Instagram. The last audible words were “hands in the air.” Jorge Costa from the Left Bloc informed CNN Portugal that phones were thrown into the sea as per an agreed instruction among the participants to ensure the safety of contacts and information.
Following these arrests, ‘the boat carrying Miguel Duarte remained, with the activist communicating until approximately 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. “We managed to reconnect with Miguel Duarte. He has not been intercepted yet,” stated Joana Mortágua yesterday. A video published at 1 a.m. (in Lisbon) indicated: “My name is Miguel Duarte and I am a Portuguese citizen. If you are seeing this video, I have been unlawfully captured by Israeli forces and taken to Israel against my will.”
Before being detained, in a different video, Miguel Duarte pointed out the presence of many Israeli boats in the vicinity, “firing water cannons” and performing “dangerous maneuvers” near the ships.
On Telegram, the Global Sumud Flotilla reported that the Israeli naval force used “active aggression” against the boat Florida, which was “deliberately rammed at sea.” None of the three Portuguese citizens were on that vessel.
Foreign Minister speaks of contact only on Sunday, Marcelo and Montenegro promise “support”
In a statement on the Presidential website, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa wrote on Wednesday, following Mortágua’s detention: “The President confirmed with the Government that our Embassy in Tel Aviv will ensure full consular support to our detained compatriots, as always, and particularly when it involves holders of sovereign organs, as well as all needed support for their return to Portugal.”
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, announced today having confirmed with the Government that the Portuguese detainees will receive consular support from Portugal’s embassy in Israel, following the interception of the flotilla heading for Gaza.
Lusa | 21:19 – 01/10/2025
Last night, the Foreign Ministry stated in a release that the consular services of the Portuguese Embassy in Tel Aviv requested from Israeli authorities to “as soon as possible” be informed about the status and location where the Portuguese involved in the flotilla will be detained.
The goal is to provide “the necessary diplomatic and consular protection,” the statement reads. Later, the Portuguese diplomatic leader added that direct contact with the activists is not anticipated soon, notably because the detention happened on the holiest day of Judaism, Yom Kippur.
The government assured today it is doing everything to access the Portuguese detainees aboard the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza directly, which might happen on Friday or Sunday.
Lusa | 22:47 – 01/10/2025
“Normally [on Yom Kippur] everything is closed in Israel, with only minimal services operating (…). Our current forecast, which we will do everything to expedite, is Sunday, which is the first day of the week in the Jewish calendar,” he stressed, noting: “The flotilla’s choice to arrive on that day [Yom Kippur] will delay operations that could have been faster.”
The Portuguese diplomatic leader also noted that the first group of citizens detained on the flotilla is expected to reach an Israeli port at 8 a.m. on Thursday (6 a.m. in Lisbon). Paulo Rangel did not specify which Israeli port or if the Portuguese were part of this first group. So far, there has been no confirmation of arrival.
On Thursday morning, the prime minister, while in Copenhagen, Denmark, assured that the Government would provide “all the support” to the Portuguese and is in contact with Rangel, who is “managing” the situation.
“We are in touch with Israeli authorities, aiming to protect the status of these Portuguese and to provide all consular support, as we are obligated to do for them and all Portuguese citizens in similar circumstances, notably considering one of these individuals is a holder of a sovereign body,” confirmed Luís Montenegro, specifically referring to Mariana Mortágua.
Political reactions
Other political forces also reacted yesterday, notably the Socialist Party, with its leader João Torres expressing concern about the situation. “It is crucial that the State fulfills its duties toward Portuguese citizens, focusing on consular aid and the State’s role in overseeing nationals, ensuring their complete safety,” he said.
The Portuguese Communist Party also responded yesterday, condemning Israel’s actions against the humanitarian flotilla destined for Gaza and urging the Government to do “everything possible” to safeguard the lives of the Portuguese on board.
Leia Também: Flotilla. Catarina Furtado reacts to the detention of Mortágua and Aparício
