South African activists on Gaza flotilla arrive in Jordan

The grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela was among those who were received by South Africa’s ambassador to Jordan. A group of South African activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla have arrived in Jordan having been deported by Israel following an attempt to deliver aid to Gaza. The group was among other activists from 44 countries who were sailing aboard vessels which were seized by Israeli forces as they attempted to break its naval blockade of Gaza. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed on Tuesday of the group’s “safe arrival” in Jordan. It included the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, who was among those received at the airport by South Africa’s ambassador to Jordan. A comprehensive statement on the expulsion of the activists from Israel will be issued later, Dirco’s spokesperson said. South Africa strongly opposes Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. In December 2023, it filed a case against Israel at The Hague-based court accusing Tel Aviv of violating the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.