Mandla Mandela’s abduction: Here’s Ramaphosa’s message to Israel

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release of South African nationals, including Mandla Mandela, who were detained after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters.

The flotilla was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza when it was stopped by the Israeli navy on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa described the interception as a violation of international law and the sovereignty of nations whose flags flew on the vessels.

In a statement released by the Presidency, Ramaphosa said: “On behalf of our Government and nation, I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters, and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.”

He added: “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.

A pre-recorded video of Mandla, grandson of Nelson Mandela, was shared after the incident.

In the footage, he said the flotilla had been “intercepted and abducted by the apartheid state of Israel” and urged the South African government to exert pressure for their release.

The Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the interception as an “illegal attempt to block aid to Gaza”, alleging that drones and water cannons were used before Israeli forces carried out an ambush in international waters.

Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, stating, “This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded. 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 president further noted South Africa’s alignment with the United Nations, saying, “South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.”

“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families, and 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.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that the flotilla vessels were “safely stopped” as they approached what it described as an “active combat zone.” According to the ministry, passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port, and Israel would not permit any vessel to breach its naval blockade of Gaza.

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