In an interview with SIC Notícias, Catarina Martins defended the humanitarian mission to Gaza, highlighting the urgency of the situation in the Palestinian territory. Pedro Gomes Sanches criticized the initiative, classifying it as ineffective and motivated by media goals.
Israel detained four Portuguese citizens, including Mariana Mortágua, aboard a flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip. The vessel was part of an international mission that sought to deliver humanitarian aid and contest the Israeli block on Palestinian territory.
In an interview in the edition of SIC News, Catarina Martins, former coordinator of BE, defended the action, underlining the severity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“This flotilla had two goals: bringing humanitarian aid that was in the boats and a wider goal, which was breaking the siege and getting humanitarian aid,” said Catarina Martins.
“I don’t know if people are aware, but there are tons of humanitarian aid right now to rot Gaza’s doors because Israel won’t let in,” he added.
According to Catarina Martins, the main objective of the mission It was not only symbolic or political, but essentially practical and urgent: “The goal was not the message, it was to get there, to save the lives of those people.”
“Humanitarian aid transport would take 60 hours to arrive via terrestrial”
In contrast, the commentator Pedro Gomes Sanches considering it ineffective from the logistical point of view and with mainly media intentions.
“What this flotilla is looking for is media attention and does not help humanitarian,” he said.
Criticizing the strategy adopted by the participants, the commentator defended the use of official channels, Like the coordinates by the UN and the Egypt, for the delivery of help.
“The transportation of humanitarian aid would take 60 hours to arrive via Lisbon to Gaza to Gaza. This time, it took a month and a few days – 770 hours. So what mobilizes those people is helping those suffering, it is not by the way they chose, but by other more conventional and more conventional UN and Egypt,” he said.
Assuming equally advocate of the Palestinian cause, Pedro Gomes Sanches left criticism of Hamas:
“I am also one of those who want a free Palestine and defend the solution of the two states, but I want a free Palestine of their greenness. Since 2007 that Hamas kills Palestinian (…). The true greenness are Hamas,” he said.
Rejecting the accusation that the Flotilla participants sought personal notoriety, Catarina Martins considered the criticism unfair:
“People who risk their lives do not do it to seek attention. I find it even aberrant to say that,” he said.
“They don’t seek attention to themselves, they are looking for attention to the theme, and I think well (…) Israel is committing a genocide. I do not accept that you want to silence the violence of the State of Israel“He added.
