Estela Silva/EPA
Protesters blocked the road during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people and the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in Porto.
The four Portuguese gather with ambassador this Friday and “a choice will be presented to them,” explains Marcelo. Last ship that was still towards Gaza has already been intercepted by Israel, 100 kilometers from the Enclave coast.
The 473 crew members of the vessels detained by the Israelite naval forces were transferred to a prison in the Negev Desertin the south of Israel, according to the legal team that supports the Global Sumud flotilha. Were taken to the arrest of Saharonim, where they will be probably deported for the countries of origin.
However, Italy’s Foreign Minister said most activists would be transferred from bus to the Ketziot Detention Center in southern Israel, near the city of Bersheva, where they would receive consular visits this Fridayinformation in the meantime confirmed by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
“A choice will be presented to the detainees: or sign a document saying that they come out with their agreement from the territory of Israel, and then Israel covers the expenses of this exit as soon as possible, or prefer the other way, which is to stay in Israeli territory, and to start the process that leads to a judge’s intervention.”, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said.
Antonio Tajani this Thursday that the Israeli government intends to repay all the flotilla crew members “through a single measure of forced expulsion.” The activists should be deported “aboard two chartered flights, on Monday, October 6, and Tuesday, October 7, in two different European capitals”, which should be London and Madrid.
Manifestations throughout the country
There were several urgent protest actions this Thursday, in various parts of Portugal, in defense and support of the activists detained by Israel.
More than a thousand protesters were present on Thursday in a protest in Lisbon, which began in front of the embassy of Israel, to demand the release of the Portuguese citizens detained by Israel. Protesters asked sanction Israel and resignation of the current mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Coins.
More than 100 people transferred the protest to the MUDE, where a debate was held among the candidates for the Lisbon Chamber, forcing the Court of Augusta Street in both directions. Around 00:20, Protesters blocked the car of the candidate for the Chamber of Lisbon by the Socialist Party, Alexandra Leitãowho was forced to return to the change. The socialist devalued the incident.
In the streets adjacent to D. João I Square, in Portotraffic was temporarily blocked at 20:00 by a pro-Palestinian demonstration scheduled for that place, which had about a thousand protesters. “Long live the struggle of the Palestinian people, Israel is a murderous state” and slogans like “Palestine free” have heard each other in Porto.
Government with two very different positions
Portuguese detainees – Mariana Mortágua, Miguel Duarte, Sofia Aparício and student Diogo Chaves – were taken in what they classified as “illegal arrests” and “abduction” by Israel’s forces.
Here, in reaction, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel considered the detention “illegal” If the occurrence is confirmed outside the Israeli jurisdiction, that is, in international waters: “Israel could not do it.” But Rangel’s reaction was very different Prime Minister and especially Defense Minister Nuno Melo.
Luís Montenegro, he avoided directly condemning Telavive, stating only that the government is committed to ensuring the return of the Portuguese. He would have done everything “differently,” he criticized, refusing that the Portuguese were arrested by Israel.
Nuno Melo went further. He accused Mortágua of collaborating with “terrorists” and said the initiative is “pamphletary” and irresponsible.
“It is to support such an organization, considered a terrorist by the European Union, that these people [três cidadãos portugueses, incluindo a coordenadora do BE, Mariana Mortágua] They mobilize toward a territory that is at war? ”Asked the CDS leader, referring to Hamas.
In turn, head of state Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa assured full consular support to the detainees and asked for priority to his return to Portugal.
On the left, free, PCP and BE accused the executive of lack of firmness in the face of Israel, but In PS there were also disagreements: José Luís Carneiro aligned with the prudence of the government, but Pedro Nuno Santos considered the passivity of the government and a “disgust” the comments that has seen the Portuguese “brave” who followed in Gaza to Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian militants aboard 41 gaza aid flotilla ships were the Israelite naval forces.
Among the detainees are Four Portuguese: Leader of the Left Block, Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício and activists Miguel Duarte and Diogo Chaves, a student. Also arrested were 30 Spaniards, 21 Turks, 12 Malays, 11 Tunisinas, 15 Brazilians and 10 French, as well as citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Colombia.
The last boat, ‘Marinette’, was still at dawn to navigate and was about 100 kilometers from the Palestinian Enclave coast at 7:07 am (Lisbon time) when he was intercepted by Israeli forces, according to geolocation data on the Global Sumud portal on the Internet.
This Wednesday’s arrests took place in Territory controlled by Israel, control that is not recognized by the UN. The only alternative to get to Gaza helps without a flotilla would be to pass the help to the hands of Israel or the US.
