Detention was confirmed by the organization
The organization of the humanitarian flotilla to the Gaza strip confirmed the detention by Israel of Portuguese activist Miguel Duarte, after the interception of the vessel where he followed.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said at 5:12 (Lisbon time) that “Israeli naval forces intercepted and illegally approached the Morgano ship,” aboard which Miguel Duarte was.
“Wt transmissions and communications have been cut. The state of participants and crew remains unconfirmed,” the organization warned on the Telegram Message Platform.
“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarian workers. We appeal to international governments and institutions to demand their immediate safety and liberation,” adds the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Less than four hours earlier, at 1:35 am today, the Palestinian profile in Portuguese, on the Instagram social network, had released a short video of Miguel Duarte.
“If you are seeing this video, it is because I was illegally captured by Israeli forces and taken to Israel against my will,” said the activist.
At least 13 vessels integrated into the flotilha were intercepted by the Navy of Israel and one of these was embarrassed in international waters, today the Global Sumud Flotilla said today.
The coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, and the Portuguese actress Sofia Aparício, were also detained by Israel, after the interception of the vessel where they were following, the blockistic leader Joana Mortágua told Lusa.
Before being arrested, in a video released at 10:30 pm on Wednesday, Miguel Duarte pointed out that there were many Israeli boats in involving “throwing water cannons” and doing “dangerous maneuvers” near the ships.
However, the Government of Brazil stated in a statement that there are several Brazilians among the activists detained by Israel during the interception of the vessels that make up the flotilla.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that among the detainees is Luizianne Lins, deputy of the Workers Party, led by the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Brazilian government has stated that it is accompanying “with concern” Israel’s interception of flotilha vessels.
“Brazil recalls the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters and emphasizes the peaceful character of the flotilla,” said Brazil’s diplomacy.
Despite the interceptions, the organization guaranteed, in a message released at 01:20, that 30 flotilha vessels continue to Gaza and were 46 nautical miles (85 kilometers) from the Palestinian Enclave coast
Previously, the Israeli Foreign Ministry had reported that several ships from the Global Sumud flotilha had been “detained without incidents” and that passengers were being transferred to an Israelite port.
