In a bold diplomatic statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa urges Israel to release Mandla Mandela and other South Africans detained during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Gaza. The flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, sparking international criticism and raising concerns over violations of international law.
Ramaphosa’s official statement, shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, describes the incident as a “grave offence by Israel” against international solidarity and peace efforts.
“On behalf of our government and nation, I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters,” the President said.
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Mandla Mandela Among Those Detained in the Gaza Flotilla
Mandla Mandela, grandson of former President Nelson Mandela and a sitting Member of Parliament, was among more than 450 global activists aboard the flotilla. The convoy, made up of over 40 vessels, was headed for Gaza to deliver life-saving medical and food supplies.
Mandela has long been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights. Prior to his detainment, he labelled the occupation of Palestine as “a far worse form of apartheid than we ever experienced,” referencing South Africa’s own liberation history.
He described the flotilla’s mission as one of solidarity, not confrontation, echoing President Ramaphosa’s sentiment that the aid mission was humanitarian in nature.
Ramaphosa Urges Israel to Comply With International Law
The President’s statement referenced a binding International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, which obliges Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza.
“This action violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded,” Ramaphosa stated.
He further condemned the interception of the flotilla in international waters as a breach of the sovereignty of the nations represented by the vessels’ flags.
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Legal scholars and international observers have echoed these concerns, arguing that Israel’s blockade enforcement outside its territorial waters raises significant questions about legality under maritime and humanitarian law.
United Nations, ICJ and South Africa Align on Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
Ramaphosa aligned South Africa’s position with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who recently called for the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. The UN has consistently warned that restrictions on aid amount to collective punishment, prohibited under international law.
“South Africa supports the call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material,” Ramaphosa noted.
This aligns with South Africa’s ongoing legal case at the ICJ, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The ICJ has already issued provisional measures requiring Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid and prevent further harm.
International Condemnation Mounts
The interception of the flotilla has sparked global condemnation, with many nations and civil society groups demanding the immediate release of detained activists, including Mandela. Protests in major cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg have amplified calls for South Africa to sever diplomatic ties with Israel.
Israel, for its part, maintains that its blockade of Gaza is a necessary security measure to prevent arms smuggling by Hamas. However, human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have described the blockade as a form of collective punishment that disproportionately harms civilians.
A Diplomatic and Humanitarian Crossroads
President Ramaphosa’s strong words reflect not just national outrage, but also South Africa’s historical commitment to human rights. As the government continues to push for legal and diplomatic pressure on Israel, all eyes now turn to how the international community will respond.
“It is my expectation that Israel will release the human rights activists as these abductions serve no purpose in the context of efforts to secure peace in the Middle East,” Ramaphosa concluded.
As the situation unfolds, South Africa’s voice on the global stage remains firm: uphold international law, protect humanitarian missions, and release those unjustly detained.
