Israel has already deported about 170 Flotilha activists, including 21 Spaniards, four Portuguese and four Dutch
The four Portuguese activists who participated in the Sumud Global Sumud Humanitarian Mission, which tried to deliver help to the Gaza Strip and was intercepted by the Israelite forces, arrived on Sunday night to Lisbon airport, where they were welcomed by a crowd.
Mariana Mortágua, coordinator of the Left Bloc, actress Sofia Aparício and activists Miguel Duarte and Diogo Chaves have been detained in Israel since Wednesday night, when about 50 flotilla vessels were intercepted in international waters.
Upon arrival, Mariana Mortágua described her time in prison as difficult, but warned that the Palestinians face a much worse situation. “[Percebemos a diferença naquela prisão] between being Europeans and Palestinians. As much as it was difficult for us – and it was – and as much as abuses have been – and there were many – that gave us an idea of the degree of impunity of the Israeli forces against Palestinians, ”said the blockader leader, adding that he saw“ comrades to be beaten and taken ”and that there were several cuffed and detained hours in true“ jaura ”.
Miguel Duarte added that in Israelite chains the rights of prisoners are hardly existing and that some detainees spent 24 or 48 hours without food or water; People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, did not receive medication; Many were placed “in jaura in the sun.” The activist also denounced that Israelite soldiers tried to sign documents and even falsified signatures.
“We refused to sign and Israelite soldiers used our passports and falsified our signatures to show that we accept that we were legally intercepted. We must be clear: we were illegally intercepted and taken against our will to Israel.”
Actress Sofia Aparício reported being handcuffed and mistreated, while Diogo Chaves stated that it was painful to leave “comrades behind” but understood the need to return to fight for those still detained and the Palestinian cause. “But we also had the notion that we had to come home early so we could fight for those who stayed there and for the Palestinian cause.”
Portuguese activists received at Lisbon Airport (Lusa)
The group was received at the airport by an estimated crowd of more than 1,000 people, including old and current Left Bloc leaders, who shouted pro-Palestinian slogans and criticism of the Portuguese government. Palestinian posters and flags filled the atrium, while the activists improvised a press conference, describing the hours lived in Israeli prison.
Hundreds of people wait for activists at Barajas Airport in Madrid (EPA)
A similar scenario was lived in Madrid, where 21 of the 49 Spaniards arrived in Flotilha, including former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau and lawyer Rafael Borrego.
“They hit us, dragged us on the floor, sold their eyes, bound us their hands and feet, put us in jaura, insulted us,” the lawyer told reporters.
In Barcelona, Colau also described abuse and stressed “illegal detention” in international waters – but pointed out that “the suffering of Palestinians is much greater.” The Spanish also denounced medication deprivation, with diabetics without insulin and people with untreated heart disease. Journalists who were part of the flotilla, such as Carlos de Barrón and Nestor Prieto, also described abuses and reported that they were confiscated equipment and counterfeit documents, denying them consular assistance and translator.
In addition to the Spaniards who arrived Sunday, the government of Pedro Sanchéz announced that the 28 Spaniards still detained in Israel should return this Monday. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Catalunya Radio that the group should board as soon as possible, without confirming exact time.
Israel has already deported about 170 Flotilha activists, including 21 Spaniards, four Portuguese and four Dutch. Israelite authorities have announced that another 170 will be deported, while at least 22 remain on hunger strike in protest against detention. The International Federation of Human Rights denounced abuse, physical violence, verbal harassment, deprivation of water, food and medicines, classifying conditions such as torture and violation of international law.
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the activists returned under diplomatic follow -up and that the Ambassador in Telavive, Helena Paiva, visited the detainees and protested with the Israeli authorities. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said he expected the return of the Portuguese to take place “without incidents”, while Mariana Mortágua and her colleagues stressed that the humanitarian mission and the denunciation of detention conditions continues to return to Portugal.
