The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the media that the four Portuguese citizens who participated in the Global Samud flotilla will have to reimburse the State for the cost of their return trip from Tel Aviv to Lisbon.
The participants are Mariana Mortágua, Sofia Aparício, Miguel Duarte, and Diogo Chaves. According to the ministry, the government only advanced the expenses of the repatriation, which must now be reimbursed by the individuals involved.
Mariana Mortágua responded on social media, arguing that this cost should be covered by Israel. During their stay in the country while awaiting their return to Portugal, the activists complained about the lack of food. The situation coincided — likely not by chance — with Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, traditionally marked by fasting and spiritual reflection.
The flotilla was presented as a humanitarian mission, but the amount of food transported was limited, less than 10% of the shipments that enter the Gaza Strip daily. In addition, there are indications of links between the initiative and Hamas.
Credit: Israel em Portugal
In Portugal, protests against Israel’s interception of the flotilla became particularly intense. According to the Israeli Embassy, the demonstrations included the burning of the Israeli flag and calls for violence against Israeli citizens and members of the Jewish community.
