Toni Albir/EPA
The activist and former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, with the coordinator of the BE, Mariana Mortágua
Humanitarian aid would be delivered in Cyprus and distributed by the Israeli state, proposed Italy. “It does not represent protection but the distortion of the mission,” says 3 Portuguese aboard the vessel.
The Portuguese members of the Global Sumud flotilha rejected this Sunday to deliver the humanitarian aid to Gaza, in response to the suggestion made by the Italian authorities and reiterated by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.
In a statement to which Lusa had access, the three Portuguese rejected the possibility of humanitarian aid be delivered to Cyprus and later loaded to Gaza by the Latin Patriarchy of Jerusalem to then be delivered by the Israeli state.
“The regular blockade of humanitarian aid by Israel At the entrance of Gaza as the systematic killer murder at distribution points, ”said Flotilha members.
Paulo Rangel stressed on Thursday this alternative to the delivery of humanitarian aid, which resulted from an agreement of mediation between the Italian authorities, the Israeli authorities and the Catholic Church.
“We would like to clarify that the purpose of this humanitarian mission is to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. The position of the Italian government, of diverting the flotilla to another destination, does not represent protection but the distortion of the mission, ”says the statement.
The Portuguese minister, who was in New York to the UN General Assembly, also stressed that “There is no extra plan” compared to explosion reports Intimidatory against the flotilla that transports humanitarian aid, underlined that “risks are known, all people are aware of them.”
In view of these statements, the Portuguese members admitted that they recognize the dangers to which they are subject, but they consider that “the role of the Portuguese government is to protect the humanitarian mission.”
“We recognize that this mission involves dangers, which derive exclusively from the siege that Israel maintains to the Palestinian people of Gaza in violation of international law,” the note says.
The Global Sumud flotilha is composed of about 50 ships With activists, politicians, journalists and doctors of more than 40 nationalities, including three Portuguese: Mrs Mariana Mortágua, activist Miguel Duarte and actress Sofia Aparício.
“We reiterate our appeal for the Portuguese government to endeavor all efforts to end the genocide’s genocide, starting with the imposition of sanctions on Israel and the diplomatic protection of this humanitarian mission”The statement said.
The note also adds that the three ships where the Portuguese follow the Portuguese will still depart from Crete today to Gaza.
On Wednesday, after the last drone attack on the flotilla, Mariana Mortágua appealed to a social mobilization in Portugal to press the government to protect this mission.
“Your mobilization and ability to press the Portuguese Government, which has been from governments with the most shy reactions, most shameful even in flotilla and its protection, your pressure is essential to ensure the safety of this flotilla, a humanitarian corridor, and to contribute to ending genocide,” said Mariana Mortágua, in a video released to her official Instagram account.
