Six South African activists, including a grandson of Nelson Mandela, have accused Israeli authorities of subjecting them to harsher treatment than other detainees during their arrest while attempting to reach Gaza as part of an aid flotilla. The activists, who were detained last week, claimed they were singled out due to South Africa’s role in a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Speaking at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport upon their return, the activists detailed their ordeal, with two Muslim women alleging their hijabs were forcibly removed and they were forced to strip naked in front of Israeli soldiers. Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, asserted that the activists were targeted because South Africa has challenged Israel’s actions in Gaza through the ICJ. Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations, stating that all detainees were given the option of voluntary deportation and that their legal rights were fully upheld. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver symbolic aid to the famine-stricken territory. Among the 450 activists arrested were Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and others who also claimed mistreatment. South Africa has long supported the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels between Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and South Africa’s apartheid era. The country’s genocide case against Israel, filed in late 2023, has garnered support from several nations, including Nicaragua, Turkey, and Colombia. Israel has vehemently denied the genocide allegations, accusing South Africa of acting as Hamas’ “legal arm.”
South African activists on Gaza flotilla claim harsh treatment by Israel over genocide case
