The abduction of South Africans and other international humanitarians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli forces has provoked widespread condemnation, with President Cyril Ramaphosa leading calls for their immediate release.
The flotilla, comprising vessels carrying food, medical supplies and other essential aid, was intercepted in international waters off the coast of Gaza in the early hours of Thursday. Among those abducted are Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, celebrated author Zukiswa Wanner, and South African peace activist Reaaz Moolla. Confirmation is still pending on the whereabouts of South Africans Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.
In a strongly worded statement, President Ramaphosa said the incident was “another grave offence” by Israel, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law and human rights.
“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,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that the interception “contravenes the International Court of Justice injunction which compels Israel to allow the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza without obstruction” and urged that the life-saving cargo aboard the flotilla be delivered to civilians in desperate need.
Mandela’s plea from captivity
In a distressing video released before his capture, Nkosi Mandela confirmed that the flotilla had been boarded by Israeli forces.
“My name is Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela. I’m a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the apartheid state of Israel. I call on you to request our government to exact pressure for my immediate release,” he declared, visibly shaken but resolute.
Mandela, who has been at the forefront of South Africa’s solidarity campaigns with Palestine, described the voyage as a “mission of conscience.” His participation symbolised the continuation of his grandfather Nelson Mandela’s vision of global resistance to injustice and apartheid.
An attack on humanitarianism
The abduction follows a deadly explosion in September that targeted the flotilla in international waters, wounding activists and raising concerns about the extent to which humanitarian efforts are being criminalised. Despite the risks, the Global Sumud Flotilla, its name meaning “steadfastness” in Arabic, continued its mission to break Israel’s siege on Gaza, now in its 18th year.
The blockade has been widely condemned for creating what the United Nations describes as “unliveable conditions” in Gaza, with over 2 million people facing starvation, lack of medicine, and collapsed infrastructure.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterated his call for Israel to urgently lift the blockade, stressing that “humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.”
Global outrage
Civil society, religious leaders, and political movements across the globe have rallied behind the abductees. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) and a number of South African organisations, including the South African Council of Churches and the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance, issued urgent appeals for their safe release.
ATM said in a statement: “The abduction of our compatriots and other brave humanitarians represents an assault not just on them, but on the collective conscience of humanity. We demand their release and the safe passage of the flotilla’s aid.”
International voices have also added weight. Irish parliamentarians, Spanish solidarity groups, and Latin American civil movements have joined the call, framing the flotilla’s interception as part of Israel’s broader pattern of suppressing peaceful resistance to its blockade.
A test for international law
Analysts say the incident will further test the credibility of international legal frameworks, particularly the enforcement of ICJ rulings. “When states can intercept humanitarian missions in international waters with impunity, it erodes the very foundation of international law,” one legal expert told African Times.
President Ramaphosa echoed this concern, warning that failure to hold Israel accountable risked emboldening further violations.
“This action violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla. These abductions serve no purpose in the context of efforts to secure peace in the Middle East,” he said.
Families wait in anguish
Back home, families of the abductees are anxiously awaiting confirmation of their safety. “We are devastated but also proud that our loved ones were willing to put their lives on the line for justice and peace,” a relative of one of the South Africans said.
As pressure mounts, activists insist the flotilla’s message remains intact: solidarity with Gaza cannot be silenced.
