Pressure mounts on Israel for ‘abducting’ pro-Palestine activists

ISRAEL'S interception of pro-Palestinian activists, including Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla and at least five other South Africans onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded in Gaza, says the South African government.

- 

MANDLA Mandela, grandson of the late President Nelson Mandela, is among the South Africans on board the Global Sumud Flotilla. | AFP

(AFP)

The Israeli navy began intercepting vessels on Wednesday after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade.

“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,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.

“The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla,” he said.