Inside Politics Reporter
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Tuesday that activists who were part of a Gaza-bound flotilla have safely arrived in Jordan as part of a repatriation plan.
DIRCO confirmed that Ambassador Tselane Mokuena received the delegation on behalf of Pretoria.
“We have been formally notified by Israeli authorities of the release and repatriation of the detained South Africans,” DIRCO said in a statement.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola expressed “profound gratitude” to the stakeholders that assisted in the process through “cooperation and support”.
The delegation is scheduled to land at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 8 October at 9:30am local time.
Addressing what it described as “deliberate misinformation” about Pretoria’s role in the process, DIRCO said the return of the activists “is being facilitated with the financial support of their families and solidarity groups”.
“The South African Government’s role has been one of diplomatic facilitation and engagement with all relevant parties.”
The activists were detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Israel defended the blockade on security grounds.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly called on Israel to free the activists, which included Mandla Mandela, grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, a staunch defender of Palestinian rights, who was among those detained.
“The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,” Ramaphosa said.
“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,” said the president.
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