BE’s only deputy,Mariana Mortáguaquestioned the Government today about the Navio Holder G.stating that the vessel has a Portuguese flag (stern flag) and “is suspected of transporting military material to Israel.”
In a question addressed to the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangelthe BE coordinator – who in October was detained by Israeli authorities after participating in a flotilla with humanitarian aid destined for Gaza – claims to have been aware “that the ship Holger G., flying the Portuguese flag, is suspected of transporting military material to Israel”.
“The ship, owned by the German company Reederei Gerdes, is registered in the Madeira International Ship Registry and left Chennai, India, three days ago com destination to Haifa, in Israel, and scheduled arrival on December 31st. It also has a scheduled stop in Port Said, Egypt, on December 22nd”, the text reads.
According to complaint which BE says it received, this ship “carries on board 440 tons of 155 mm projectiles for the Israeli military material companies Elbit Systems and IMI – Israel Military Industries”.
Mariana Mortágua points out that “it’s not the first time that a Portuguese-flagged ship is suspected of transporting military material for Israeli companies”.
“In the case of the ship MV Kathrinwhich was transporting explosive material bound for Israel, the ship itself ended up request the removal of the flag after the steps taken by the Portuguese State, after pressure from the Left Bloc and the solidarity movement with Palestine”, is highlighted by the deputy.
The BE coordinator writes that, “confirming the transportation of weapons by the Holger G., o The Portuguese government must remove the Portuguese flag from this and other ships that are being used to transport weapons to Israel” as well as prohibiting all vessels flying the Portuguese flag from “any involvement, aid and assistance to violence against the people of Palestine and the illegal occupation of Israel”.
The blogger wants to know what information the government has about this vessel and whether it will remove the ship’s flag or “insist on make Portugal an accomplice in genocide”.