Israel confirms release of abducted local pro-Palestine activists
South Africans in Gaza Flotilla set for repatriation on Tuesday.
Image: Seethesilenced/Instagram
THE South African government has received confirmation from its Israeli counterparts assuring them of the release of the locals who participated in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative in Israel, said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
The South African pro-Palestine activists including Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla and five others were among a group of people from around the world intercepted by Israeli forces on their mission to deliver aid in Gaza last week.
Amid global pressure, the Israeli government began deporting some of the detainees.
Dirco confirmed on Monday that it had been formally notified by the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the South African citizens who participated in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative.
Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said they were expected to be released from detention and will be repatriated, departing via Jordan Tuesday morning.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola extended his gratitude to all involved.
Boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean sea off the Gaza Strip waters on October 2.
Image: Saeed Qaq / AFP
"We extend our gratitude to all relevant parties, both domestically and internationally, for their cooperation and coordination in ensuring the return of the South African citizens," he said.
Mandla’s wife Nosekeni Rabia Mandela, told IOL about the harrowing experience following her husband's abduction in Israel during a humanitarian mission on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
"It has indeed been a turbulent time. He was away for three weeks travelling to Tunisia and then setting sail before they were abducted," she said.
"We knew from the outset that it was a perilous initiative, and we were not oblivious to the possibility of the current situation unfolding as it has."
Meanwhile arriving into Athens Airport after being deported from Israel on Monday, Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg said countries were doing the "bare minimum" to end the "genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza. About 161 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Thunberg, arrived in Greece, after being detained in Israel for taking part in an aid flotilla mission bound for Gaza.
“That this mission has to exist is a shame; it is a shame”, Thunberg said.