“I must say I am shocked by the apparent passivity of the prime minister in this situation. He tells us he hopes these three Portuguese nationals return safely—rightly so—but he is the prime minister. It is not his role to merely hope; we want the prime minister to do more than just wait, to demand the release of our three fellow citizens from the Israeli government, who are on a peaceful mission,” emphasized Rui Tavares in Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon district.
The Livre leader made these comments to journalists while on the campaign trail for the upcoming local elections on the 12th. His remarks came after Israeli forces detained three Portuguese nationals, including Left Bloc coordinator Mariana Mortágua, who were part of a flotilla aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, on Wednesday evening.
Criticizing the prime minister for his “cold attitude” regarding “an act of humanity,” Rui Tavares contrasted Luís Montenegro’s stance, also the president of PSD, with that of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a founding figure of the Social Democrats, who is set to receive a BE delegation in Belém today.
Tavares argued that the PSD was “a party known for upholding the primacy of human dignity,” noting that the party originated from a “philosophical tradition known as personalism, rooted in social Christianity, which essentially sides with those striving to improve humanity.”
The leader of Livre opined that the PSD “has largely lost its connection to these values,” and that the prime minister “in truth represents the deviation of the PSD, the wrong path the PSD has taken.”
“He is someone who is not upholding those foundational values of the PSD. In a way, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with his political stance, albeit with differing opinions and political paths, still represents that legacy that honored the PSD, which unfortunately Luís Montenegro has failed to preserve,” he criticized.
The deputy asserted that this detention, “if it indeed happened in international waters, is clearly illegal,” and criticized those on social media wishing the Portuguese nationals would not return, despite not agreeing with their decision.
According to Sumud Global, at least 13 vessels in the humanitarian flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli Navy, with one reportedly rammed in international waters.
Those detained include Left Bloc coordinator Mariana Mortágua, Portuguese actress Sofia Aparício, and activist Miguel Duarte.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated today he hopes the three Portuguese citizens detained by Israel can return to the country “without any incident,” after a breakfast meeting with his British counterpart, Labour leader Keir Starmer, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced today that some activists from the Sumud Global flotilla, arrested in recent hours, will be transferred to Israeli territory.
The statement did not specify the identities of the first detainees to be transferred to Israel.
