Six South African activists who were part of an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza have reported being subjected to harsh treatment by Israeli authorities after being detained. The activists, who were among approximately 450 individuals arrested during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, claim they were singled out due to their nationality.
According to the activists, their South African passports drew unwanted attention from Israeli guards, who they allege treated them more severely than other detainees. This perceived disparity in treatment is attributed to South Africa’s involvement in a contentious case against Israel at the United Nations’ top court, where the country has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza since 2023.
Mandla Mandela, a former lawmaker and grandson of South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, stated that the South African activists were “harshly dealt with” because their country has taken a strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Mandela emphasized that their treatment was a direct result of South Africa’s decision to hold Israel accountable through international courts.
During a press conference at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport, activists Fatima Hendricks and Zaheera Soomar shared their experiences, alleging that they were forcibly stripped of their hijabs and subjected to invasive searches, including being forced to undress in front of Israeli soldiers. They claimed that this treatment was not meted out to other Muslim female activists, suggesting that their nationality was a factor in the alleged mistreatment.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied any claims of mistreatment, stating that all activists were given the opportunity to voluntarily be deported without detention. The interception of the aid flotilla and the subsequent detention of activists have sparked global rallies condemning Israel’s actions.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions between Israel and South Africa, particularly in the context of the Gaza conflict and the international community’s response to it. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact relations between the two countries and the broader international effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.