The Israeli navy has seized Chief Mandla Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, as he attempts to transport assistance to Gaza.
He was travelling with 45 vessels from 44 countries that were transporting food and medical supplies as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Last month, the vessels departed Spain.
The convoy was forced to an Israeli port after being besieged by the Israeli navy. “Active combat zone” was the designation given by officials to the boats. Mandela said he and others might be taken in a video he shot prior to his arrest.
He referred to Israel as a “apartheid state” and requested that the South African authorities work to secure his release. According to organisers, the navy fired water cannons at other boats and rammed one. “An illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians” is what they referred to.
Mandela is one of 23 South Africans on the boats, according to the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
It assured Israel that their safety is “of paramount importance” and that it would be illegal for them to be attacked in international seas.
Edited by Matlala Kgaugelo
