The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government for what it termed “failure” to take a firm and moral stance against Israel's aggression toward South African activists.

The party pointed out that while other nations, such as Colombia, had taken decisive action by expelling Israeli diplomats for holding their citizens hostage, South Africa's leadership remained “muted and indecisive”.

Six South African activists, Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla, Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver, were kidnapped by Israeli forces who intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The flotilla comprised over 40 vessels with 500 participants from more than 44 countries, making it the largest civilian-led convoy of its kind in history.

The activists were enroute to Gaza to deliver food and medical supplies when they were arrested in international waters and detained by the Israeli government.

On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation confirmed the release of the activists by Israel, saying they would arrive in the country on Wednesday.

South African detainees were released on Tuesday and would return home via Jordan.

The party welcomed the activists’ release, condemning Israel's interception of the flotilla in international waters, which it said was a blatant act of piracy and defiance of international law.

“These South Africans and their fellow activists were unarmed humanitarians, carrying no weapons but moral conviction. Their abduction by Israel exposes once again the cruelty and lawlessness of a regime that continues to operate above the law, shielded by Western complicity and silence,” said the EFF.

The EFF highlighted that although the flotilla did not reach Gaza, its mission succeeded in amplifying global awareness of the ongoing genocide and blockade against the people of Palestine.

“The Global Sumud Flotilla may have been intercepted, but its message has reached every corner of the world. We welcome home these brave South Africans and urge them to see this not as a failure, but as a victory in the ongoing liberation of Palestine,” the party said.