The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has denied claims that government funded the repatriation of local Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists who were detained in Israel.
The department clarified that the activists’ return was made possible through financial support from their families and solidarity groups.
“The South African Government’s role has been one of diplomatic facilitation and engagement with all relevant parties,” the department explained.
The delegation is expected to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport this morning after they safely landed in Jordan, where they were welcomed by South Africa’s Ambassador to Jordan, Tselane Mokuena, yesterday.
South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Reaaz Moolla, Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.
Minister Ronald Lamola has since reiterated government’s profound gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to this successful outcome through their cooperation and support.
The GSF set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in early September and was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters as it approached Gaza.
Reports indicate that Israeli police arrested over 470 people who were on board the flotilla boats.
The GSF is an international initiative led by civil society, launched in June of this year.
The movement aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, raise awareness about the urgent needs of the Palestinian people, and emphasise the necessity of ending the conflict in Gaza.
On Monday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that 171 activists from the flotilla, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were deported from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.
The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and the United States. – SAnews.gov.za
