Several F-35 stealth fighters sold by the USA to Israel made a stopover at Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island, Azores, last April, sparking controversy and even calls for the resignation of Defense Minister Nuno Melo.
At least six aircraft, dispatched by Donald Trump’s administration to Israel, were reported to have made this stopover at Lajes Air Base.
A video shared by Island Aviation Terceira on YouTube shows the F-35 fighters 967, 968, and 969 landing on April 23 at the US base located in the Portuguese archipelago. They are said to have taken off the following day, accompanied by two US KC-135 refueling aircraft.
Three days later, on April 27, the Israeli military affairs magazine, Israel Defense, reported that its Air Force had received these three F-35s, which had made a stopover in Europe. The image illustrating the news was precisely of aircraft 968, filmed days earlier at Lajes Air Base.
Further reports indicated that three additional F-35s might have passed through Terceira Island in March, albeit unconfirmed.
Upon confrontation with this information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially denied the aircraft passed through the archipelago, later correcting its statements.
An inquiry will be launched to “determine responsibility” as this matter “was not reported to the minister’s office.”
Paulo Rangel acknowledged a “procedural failure,” attributing responsibility to an entity within the Ministry of Defense, led by Nuno Melo, leader of the CDS-PP.
The decision for the fighters’ passage through Terceira Island allegedly resulted from the Spanish government’s refusal to allow weaponry bound for Israel to pass through the country.
Portugal is not “an appendage of the USA”
Reactions began to emerge to the news and Paulo Rangel’s explanations.
The Secretary-General of the PCP asserted that Portugal is not “an appendage of the United States” and cannot allow US aircraft to land on national soil without authorization, especially when destined for Israel.
“Portugal is not a province of the European Union, not an appendage of the United States, and Portugal cannot allow US aircraft to land on our territory without authorization, without informing, without providing any justification,” he stated.
Paulo Raimundo opined that, “regardless of the aircraft’s origin, it would be “grave” if it landed at Lajes Air Base or in Lisbon without “information or authorization for such.”
“But it’s even graver because the aircraft landed at Lajes without authorization or the Portuguese state’s knowledge, directed to the hands of the genocidal Israeli government,” he criticized. Hundreds of militants filling the Queluz Volunteer Firefighters Hall in Sintra chanted “Palestine will win.”
Rui Tavares suggests Nuno Melo’s resignation
Rui Tavares, spokesperson for Livre, suggested the resignation of Defense Minister Nuno Melo, accusing him of “supporting terrorists.”
“I don’t understand how Nuno Melo can remain as Defense Minister,” said Rui Tavares, at the sidelines of a campaign event in Lisbon.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defers responsibility to Defense. This was not known before the May 18 elections, indicating that Portuguese territory was used to send aircraft, likely those bombing Gaza, in an operation denounced by many international organizations as genocidal and involving war crimes,” Tavares criticized.
The Livre spokesperson remarked, “there’s chaos and disorder in the Government,” with two ministers “at odds.”
Earlier, Nuno Melo labeled the participation of Portuguese nationals in the flotilla toward Gaza with humanitarian aid, including BE coordinator Mariana Mortágua, as “irresponsible.” Tavares countered that the centrist “sides with terrorists.”
“Nuno Melo, who seemingly authorizes these aircraft onto Portuguese territory, lectures about who supports terrorists when he actively allows terrorism habits from one side to pass; it’s a distasteful farce,” he accused.
Meanwhile, Israel is conducting an offensive in Gaza, resulting in over 66,100 Palestinian deaths, including 151 children from hunger and malnutrition, according to Hamas-controlled authorities.
The operation followed a Hamas attack in Israel two years ago, resulting in 1,200 casualties and 251 hostages, Israeli authorities report.
Israel faces accusations of genocide in Gaza and using hunger as a weapon of war, which it denies.
