Leftist Uproar – Jets, Arrests and BDS
This week’s controversy erupted when several U.S. manufactured F-35 stealth fighter jets, destined for Israel, made an unscheduled stopover at Lajes Air Base in the Azores, Portugal.
The incident sparked backlash from anti-Israel activists and leftist political groups, who accused the Portuguese government of indirectly supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza by allowing the refueling. Government officials, however, denied any violation of international arms embargoes, emphasizing that the stopover was a routine logistical matter handled under NATO protocols and that Portugal had no direct involvement in arms sales. An official inquiry has been launched to investigate the landing, amid claims that it undermines Portugal’s neutral stance in the Middle East conflict.
At the forefront of the protests is the Bloco de Esquerda (BE), a far-left political party known for its staunch support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. BDS advocates argue that the F-35 jets are instrumental in Israel’s military actions, labeling them as tools of “genocide” in Gaza. BE has leveraged this incident to rally against what they perceive as Western complicity in the conflict, demanding an immediate halt to any facilitation of arms transfers through Portuguese territory.
Despite BE’s prominent role in the discourse, the party holds minimal political clout in Portugal today. Following the snap legislative elections on May 18, 2025, BE suffered its worst electoral performance in history, securing only one deputy in the Assembly of the Republic amid declining voter support and internal challenges. Once a third-force contender with double-digit percentages in past elections, BE’s influence has waned significantly, reflecting broader voter fatigue with radical left policies in the country.
This marginal representation highlights how fringe voices can still punch above their weight in public debates. The disproportionate media attention afforded to BE and similar groups stems from Portugal’s news landscape dominated by left-leaning editorial rooms that amplify progressive narratives. Even as press freedom remains robust, polarization in traditional media and social networks has allowed marginal leftist perspectives to dominate coverage of issues like the F-35 incident, often sidelining centrist or right-wing viewpoints.
This media echo chamber ensures that BE’s anti-Israel stance receives extensive airtime, despite the party’s electoral irrelevance, contributing to a skewed public perception of national priorities.
Tensions escalated with recent demonstrations, including a large protest last Thursday outside the Israeli Embassy in Lisbon where thousands gathered to denounce Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the arrest of Portuguese activists aboard it, including Mariana Mortágua, the leader of the BE. During the manifestations, posters were raised and war cries were heard encouraging violence against Israeli civilians and Jews, Israeli flags were burned, and many participants called for an “intifada,” a slogan criticized as inciting terrorism and antisemitism.
Yesterday, tragedy struck during a follow-up protest at Rossio Station in Lisbon, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the railway hub, disrupting train services. In a shocking turn, a protester was electrocuted after climbing atop a train, suffering critical injuries that required immediate hospitalization. The incident, tied to broader actions supporting a Gaza aid flotilla, highlighted the risks of escalating activism and prompted police intervention to clear the station.
Amid the uproar, leftist groups including BE have demanded the resignation of Defense Minister Nuno Melo from the CDS-PP party, primarily over his handling of the F-35 stopover controversy. Compounding this, the CDS party’s refusal to recognize the State of Palestine—despite the PSD-led government’s formal recognition in September 2025—has intensified the attacks on Melo.
Critics argue this dual pressure exposes rifts within the ruling alliance as Portugal balances domestic activism with international diplomacy.
