'We will not rest until they are free' -Mandela family demands release of South Africans detained by Israel
Outrage as Israel detains South Africans from Gaza Aid Flotilla.
Image: Seethesilenced/Instagram
The Royal House of Mandela (RHoM) and South Africa's One in Nine Campaign have issued urgent appeals for the release of South African nationals detained by Israeli forces following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
Both organisations described the abduction and detention of the flotilla participants as a gross human rights violation, calling for international intervention and coordinated diplomatic pressure on Israel.
Mandela family calls for global action
The Royal House of Mandela demanded the unconditional release of all Global Sumud Flotilla detainees and thanked the Adalah legal team, diplomats, and supporters for their efforts to secure their freedom.
"We thank the global public for the massive outpouring of support for Nkosi Mandla Mandela’s release, as well as fellow South Africans Vukiswa Wanner, Dr Fatima Hendricks, Reaaz Moola, Zaheera Soomar, and Carolyn Shelver, and all GSF detainees," the statement read.
The Royal House expressed grave concern over reports of torture, humiliation, and mistreatment of detainees, particularly the case of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was allegedly subjected to degrading treatment.
"Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people," the statement continued, echoing Nelson Mandela's words. "We have a moral obligation to ensure that we do likewise with genocidal Apartheid Israel."
The family also urged the United Nations and International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intensify pressure on Israel, calling for an immediate end to the occupation, forced starvation, and detention of Palestinian prisoners held under dire conditions.
"This is inhumane, despicable and murderous," said Nosekeni Rabia Mandela, on behalf of the Royal House.
Feminist movement demands swift action for Carrie Shelver
The One in Nine Campaign expressed 'deep concern and outrage' at the abduction of founding member and activist Carrie Shelver by the Israeli navy.
The campaign described Shelver as 'a comrade and one of the pillars of our movement,' whose activism has shaped feminist, anti-racist, and anti-imperialist struggles in South Africa and beyond.
"This act is a gross human rights violation," they said. "We call for her immediate release, together with all the activists who have been abducted, and for the safe passage of the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza."
The organisation called on the South African government to move “swiftly and with urgency” to secure the release of all South African detainees and ensure their safe return home.
"Our feminism is transnational, grounded in the struggles of all oppressed people," it added."We will not rest until Carrie Shelver, and all those unjustly detained, are free."
IOL News