International outcry: Ramaphosa calls for the release of South Africans held by Israel

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been supported by his call for the Israeli government to immediately release South Africans and other nationals detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Gaza.

The flotilla, comprising dozens of humanitarian vessels, was on a mission to deliver aid to Palestinians living under blockade. In a strongly worded statement, President Ramaphosa condemned Israel's actions.

"The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region," Ramaphosa said.

Author and activist Zukiswa Wanner, a South African citizen currently based in Kenya, had recorded a video before the flotilla's interception, anticipating the possibility of detention.

"If you are watching this, it means I have been kidnapped by the Israeli occupying forces and taken to Israel," she said. "Please tell the South African government to get me released."

South African activist, Basheerah Soomar, confirmed that her boat had diverted to Cyprus, Greece rather than continue into the Israeli interception zone.

"A few hours ago, we had to divert from the fleet. We have a few vulnerable people on board that would have been quite aggressively targeted by the Israeli forces, and we knew that from the start. We were going to proceed with the fleet if we had been protected in international waters and if we would have been allowed safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid," she said.

Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late former president Nelson Mandela was amongst those taken in the early hours of Thursday.

In a prerecorded message in case of interception by Israel, Mandela said:  "I'm a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the state of apartheid Israel. I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release."

The South African group of the flotilla has condemned the interception of its vessels by Israeli occupation forces in international waters, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt.

"We confirm that the Israeli occupation forces have ambushed the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining some of the delegates and attacking the vessels with drones and water cannons. These actions represent yet another attempt to silence voices of solidarity and to prevent even the smallest lifeline of relief from reaching Gaza. This is illegal under international law," the GSF said in a statement.

Ramaphosa stressed that the operation constituted a violation of international law.

"The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla. This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded," the president said.

"South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel."

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) strongly condemned the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) interception: "Among those unlawfully abducted is Nkosi Zwelivelile "Mandla" Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader and former South African president, whose only mission was to bring vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Other South African participants include Dr Fatima Hendricks, Zukiswa Wanner, Dr Zaheera Soomar, Reaaz Moola, Basheerah Soomar, and Carolyn Shelver. In total, about 10 South Africans courageously participated in this mission."

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Gift of the Givers Chairman and Founder said it was an attack on the innocent: “Is it rocket science that Israel intercepted the Flotilla, climbed aboard their ships, pointed guns at unarmed people, man-handled them, and arrested them, this is a terrorist, apartheid genocide of state, that has no respect for human rights."

Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Chair of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust also called for their release: “We say to the genocidaires controlling Israel: Treat the sailors you have abducted or imprisoned off the flotilla, including our own Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, with respect, and return them to their loved ones with the utmost care."

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said they stood by the president's call.

“We fully support the calls made by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the immediate release of all abducted South Africans and other nationals, and for the safe delivery of the Flotilla’s life-saving cargo," it said.

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