Israel detains South African activists on aid flotilla to Gaza

Six South African activists who were part of an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza have reported harsh treatment by Israeli authorities after being detained. The activists were among 450 individuals arrested during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and they claim they were singled out because South Africa is pursuing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Upon their return to South Africa, the activists said they were treated more severely than other detainees. Mandla Mandela, a former lawmaker and grandson of Nelson Mandela, linked the treatment to South Africa’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. “We are a nation that dared through our government to take apartheid Israel to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court and hold them accountable,” Mandela said.

Fatima Hendricks and Zaheera Soomar, two of the detained activists, reported that their hijabs were forcibly removed while in detention—a treatment they said other Muslim female activists did not experience. Soomar recounted, “Both of us were forced behind a screen, our heads pushed against the wall and completely stripped naked in front of Israeli soldiers. This did not happen to other women.” She added that their treatment seemed tied to their nationality: “When they saw our passports, this is how we were treated as South Africans.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations of mistreatment, stating that all activists were offered the opportunity to be deported voluntarily without detention. The South African government had previously urged Israel to release the detained activists, with President Ramaphosa calling for their freedom.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of 42 boats, aimed to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to the territory. The interception of the flotilla and the subsequent detention of activists have drawn international attention and condemnation, highlighting ongoing tensions between Israel and South Africa, especially in the context of the genocide case at the International Court of Justice. As the situation unfolds, the treatment of the detained activists and the implications of South Africa’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza remain significant concerns.