The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Amnesty International have added their voices to the condemnation of Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, and the detention of activists, including former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is delivering urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and attempting to raise awareness of the need to stop the war.

The flotilla comprises over 40 vessels with 500 participants from more than 44 countries. On Wednesday, Israeli forces intercepted and took control of some boats, and detained activists in Israel.  

A UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, incited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said the move from Israel was a violation of international law.

“We stand with the courageous activists who continue to risk their lives to deliver aid and to assert the principles of justice, peace, and human dignity. Their abduction by Israeli forces is unjustifiable and must be met with international outrage,” the organisation said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called for the immediate release of South Africans and other nationals, abducted in international waters.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said it supported his call and urged the safe delivery of aid cargo from the vessels.

“We also stand with President Ramaphosa in endorsing the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible,” the foundation said.

It stressed solidarity with Palestine and called on more international efforts to break the siege and stop the genocide.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International South Africa claimed that Israel’s interception of the global flotilla was a deliberate attempt to starve Palestinians.

Amnesty International South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed pointed to previous attempts by Israeli forces to sabotage vessels that formed part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

“By continuing to actively block vital aid to a population against whom Israel is committing genocide, including by inflicting famine, Israel is once again demonstrating its utter contempt for the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice and its own obligations as the occupying power to ensure Palestinians in Gaza have access to sufficient food and lifesaving humanitarian assistance,” Mohamed said.

She called for the release of the activists and other crew, and said Israeli’s detention of them was unlawful, stating that Israel was intentionally intimidating Palestinian allies on aid missions.

“The incitement and threats that preceded it are also a shameless attempt to demonize peaceful solidarity initiatives seeking to end Israel’s genocide and the cruel blockade it has imposed on Gaza since 2007 and significantly tightened since October 2023. We are gravely concerned for the safety of all those who have been detained so far, particularly Arab delegates and solidarity activists who have been targeted by an inflammatory smear campaign,” Mohamed said.

She called out the international community for “failure” to end the killing and starvation of Palestinians and to ensure that aid reaches Gaza.

She urged them to lend their voices and call for the safe release of the detainees and to pressure Israel to ensure that aid flows into Gaza.

“The time for mere condemnation is over. States worldwide must act now and now make clear that they will no longer tolerate Israel’s systematic starvation of Palestinians in Gaza nor its targeting of unarmed civilian humanitarian efforts. The decades-long impunity for Israel’s blatant violations of international law must end, nothing can justify genocide,” Mohamed stated.

The African National Congress (ANC) also urged Israel to not obstruct the humanitarian effort and to respect international law. 

The party further called on the international community to provide protection and support to the activists.

“…their courage should inspire us all to intensify the global campaign to end the occupation, lift the blockade and secure freedom and dignity for the people of Palestine," said ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula. 

The ANC commended the "courageous South African activists" who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, adding that they are a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians.

“We salute their principled stand, which reflects the values of the ANC and aligns with our government’s historic action at the International Court of Justice against Israeli apartheid and genocide,” said Mbalula.