"It is planned that the two national citizens who were detained in Israel [for participating in the flotilla to Gaza] will be deported today to Portugal, via Turkey. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already informed their respective families," a source from the MNE told Lusa.
The two Portuguese doctors, Maria Beatriz Bartilotti Matos and Gonçalo Reis Dias, were detained on 18 May by Israeli authorities, as part of the "Sumud Global Flotilla" mission, which was heading to Gaza.
The vessel carrying the two Portuguese citizens, which was travelling to the Gaza Strip, was intercepted on Monday by Israeli forces in international waters.
On 20 May, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro advocated for the partial suspension of the trade agreement between the European Union and Israel following the release of a video shared by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
In the images, the members of the flotilla, who are being held captive, are humiliated by Israeli forces.
The European Union (EU) classified the treatment of the Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel as "totally unacceptable," following the release of a video shared by Israeli Foreign Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
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Israel’s right wing Likud party is the same as MAGA in the UUS (Un-United States) and CHEGA in Portugal. It is hight time Montenegro for once stands up to them, instead of placating them. Likud, MAGA and CHEGA supporters are completely brainwashed to support their fascists leaders. They have either forgotten about the horrors of the holocaust under Hitler, Mussolini and the Nazis, or they actually support them. Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu and other leaders of the current Israeli government are indeed perpetrating the same level of hate against the Palestinians as those Nazis did against Jewish people, Romas, artists, homosexuals and anyone who did not support them. There is no justification for Israel’s actions. I would support cutting off all funding to Israel that allows them to continue them.
By JoeT from Algarve on 21 May 2026, 10:32
Well, they shouldn't have taken the law in their own hands.
People seem to forget what happened on October 7 and that Israel still faces threats. Israel sends hundreds of aid lorries into Gaza, while countries like Egypt avoid taking responsibility for the Palestinians — so why all the hate?
That said, I do not support the way Itamar Ben-Gvir handles things, and I hope Israel will have better leadership after the next elections.
By Paz from Porto on 23 May 2026, 06:49