South African activists detained in Israel ‘safe’ as DIRCO works on return plans

Mapaballo Borotho

DIRCO confirmed that the South African activists detained in Israel after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla are safe and in high spirits.
Arrangements for their safe return home are progressing, according to spokesperson Crispin Phiri.
President Ramaphosa condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of international law and urged the release of the detainees and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that the flotilla activists detained in Israel are safe and in high spirits.

DIRCO provided an update in a media statement on Sunday. The South African activists were detained following the interception of the pro-Palestinian Global Sumud Flotilla.

Spokesperson for the department, Crispin Phiri, said arrangements for the activists’ safe return home are progressing.

“Our specialist team met with the South African delegation at the Negev Israeli Prison Facility. The delegation confirmed that the detainees are in good health and high spirits. The necessary procedures for their safe passage back home to South Africa are advancing steadily,” he said.

The detained activists were part of the flotilla that attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of a growing famine.

Among those detained are Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of the late President Nelson Mandela, and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

DIRCO’s update comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa called on Israel to release the detained South Africans and allow the flotilla’s life-saving cargo to reach Gaza.

Ramaphosa described Israel’s actions as a violation of international law, emphasising that the interception of the vessels breached the sovereignty of the nations whose flags were flown on board.