The Portuguese government’s choice to make the four citizens who participated in the flotilla to Gaza pay for their return tickets from Israel caused a wave of indignation, both within civil society and among international observers. According to Abscessthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs had initially advanced the cost of the flights for “logistical and practical reasons”, but then requested reimbursement from those concerned, without specifying the exact amount.
This decision contrasts sharply with the policy adopted by other European countries. Spain, for example, chartered a military plane to repatriate its 49 citizens involved in the flotilla, while France organized the return of 28 nationals intercepted by Israel. Even Germany and Sweden have taken charge of the repatriation of their citizens, providing active consular protection.
In Portugal, concerned activists, including Mariana Mortágua, coordinator of the Left Bloc, denounced disgraceful treatment, saying the government is making those trying to respond to an international humanitarian crisis pay “the price of humanitarian aid.” “The destination was Gaza, not Israel, where we were taken illegally,” Mortágua laments on social media.
This posture contrasts with that of Madrid or Paris, where governments have assumed their responsibilities towards citizens in detention abroad. Portugal, by passing the bill to its own citizens, sends an ambiguous signal: logistical and humanitarian support seems conditioned on the individual capacity of activists to pay, rather than on the protection of its nationals.
In a context where humanitarian repatriation is becoming a diplomatic issue, the Portuguese decision questions the priorities of the State. Between administrative pragmatism and international solidarity, Portugal seems to choose the first option here, at the risk of discrediting its foreign policy and weakening citizens’ confidence in its ability to protect them abroad.
