The Portuguese Prime Minister's position was a consequence to a recording by Israeli national safety minister Itamar Ben-Gwir of detainees of the flotilla. The movie shows kneeling activists with tied hands, and the minister himself ironically comments on the situation, manifesting the Israeli flag and emphasizing the dominance of the Israeli authorities.
Welcome to Israel. – Ben-Gwir shouted in the video.
Inhuman treatment
Luís Montenegro assessed the full situation as completely unacceptable and reported that Portugal was ready to support the partial suspension of the EU agreement with Israel.
In turn, Portuguese abroad Minister Paulo Rangel condemned Israel's actions towards the participants of the flotilla, calling them inhuman. He besides requested clarification from the Israeli Ambassador to Lisbon and called for the immediate release of 2 Portuguese doctors detained during the takeover of the convoy.
Activists supported by Hamas?
Global Flotilla Sumud departed Turkey last week towards Gaza. The organizers declared that its aim was to break the Israeli blockade and make a humanitarian corridor for Palestinian enclave residents. However, the Israeli authorities keep that the initiative was supported by Hamas.
According to the organizers, Israeli forces took over in fresh days all 50 units belonging to the convoy, aboard which there were 428 people.
