Israel embassy 'lying'

MANDELA: SA GOVT DID NOT USE TAX MONIES TO FLY ACTIVISTS HOME >>> It's propaganda to undermine govt stance on Palestine - analyst.

- Sipho Mabena

HERO'S WELCOME. Mandla Mandela, activist and grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg last week. He was among six SA activists held by Israel after the interception of the aid flotilla mission to Gaza. Picture: Michel Bega

(Michel Bega)

The Israeli embassy in South Africa has been called out for lying about SA taxpayers footing the bill for the flights of six SA Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces and deported via Jordan last week.

The activists, Mandla Mandela, grandson of late former president Nelson Mandela; writer and cultural activist Zukiswa Wanner; and activists Reaaz Moolla, Carolyn Shelver, Zaheera Soomar and Fatima Hendricks, received a hero's welcome on their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport last Wednesday.

They were part of a group of more than 400 people, including politicians, activists and aid workers from different countries, who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla's fleet of 41 vessels bound for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.