Toni Albir / EPA
Mariana Mortágua next to the boats that will depart from Barcelona to Gazanuma Humanitarian Action to support the Palestinian people. Ahead of her is the activist and former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau
The government considers that it has no obligation under the International Law to accompany and protect the flotilla towards Gaza with Mrs Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte and actress Sofia Aparício.
Part this Sunday of Barcelona, the “greatest mission of solidarity in history” with Gaza, to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinian territory, denounce “genocide” of the local population by Israel and break the Israeli siege that blocks the entry of any enclave assistance.
A Global Sumud Flotilla It will integrate about 50 boats with humanitarian aid and hundreds of people on board, including activists, politicians, artists or other public figures from 44 countries. Mariana Mortágua, Miguel Duarte and Sofia Aparício are part of the fleet.
While Spain will guarantee “all diplomatic protection” to the flotilla crew, the Portuguese government refuses to trigger the means of protection.
“It’s something that seems unusual to me”the Minister of Foreign Minister said this Saturday Paulo Rangelclarifying that the Portuguese State “has nothing to protect or follow” the humanitarian flotilla that will try to bring humanitarian support to the Gaza Strip.
In turn, the Spanish homologous, José Manuel Albaresguaranteed that, unlike Portugal, the Spanish government will offer all diplomatic and consular protection, not being willing to “allow any performance that violates international legality” When it comes to the flotilla, quoted by the.
“On other occasions, with other flotillas, we have been in contact with them before any incident and grant all our diplomatic and consular protection, and in this case it will be exactly the same,” he said.
Deputy Mariana Mortágua had also requested diplomatic protection from the Portuguese government, understanding “that this is a legal mission and under international law, and we understand that the Portuguese government […] has a moral obligation, but also legalto use all efforts and all instruments to ensure that these boats come safely and can deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. ”
But the request was refused and Rangel argued that The initiative is from civil society and that “the Portuguese state did not organize this mission”.
“Let’s not now put the fleet of the Portuguese armed to accompany this flotilla or to trigger a war against Israel, I am not sure what is intended,” added the ruler, recalling that the Parliamentary Immunity of the Leader of the Left Block does not give Mariana Mortágua Diplomatic Immunity.
“The initiative is certainly commendable, the [integrantes] They said they have a symbolic nature and this is understandable, the situation of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is really terrible and I understand that each one, in their own way, understands using the means they owe, but it is an initiative of civil society, ”he said.
“Another different thing, but this is due to any Portuguese citizen, there is no exception here, not even for being a deputy or deputy […]Of course, the Portuguese state uses consular protection, with some problem, ”he added, ensuring that he is guaranteed to the three Portuguese who tried to penetrate Israelite block to Gaza.
