The coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE), Mariana Mortágua, expressed on Sunday that “recognizing that the flotilla created this mobilization is the greatest pride.”
“This morning, when we left the Israeli prison, we had no idea what was happening in the world. We were out of contact for several days. Realizing that the flotilla created such significant mobilization and awareness is the greatest pride,” she said, speaking to journalists.
The bloc’s deputy recounted that during the four days they were detained in an Israeli prison, they witnessed “comrades being beaten” and were “handcuffed for several hours,” in addition to being “provoked by an Israeli minister.”
Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício, and activists Diogo Chaves and Miguel Duarte landed at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport after being repatriated from Israel.
The four Portuguese citizens were warmly received by dozens of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and scarves, carrying signs with slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Thank you Mariana, Sofia, Diogo, and Miguel for representing us.”
The four were detained between Wednesday night and Thursday morning when Israeli forces intercepted around 50 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
[News in update]
