On October 8, 2025, six South African activists returned home to Johannesburg, recounting harrowing experiences after being detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to reach Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla—a 42-boat convoy aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver symbolic aid to the besieged territory. Their claims have ignited international debate, not only about the treatment of detainees but also about the ongoing diplomatic rift between South Africa and Israel, rooted in a high-profile genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The activists, including Mandla Mandela—grandson of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon and first Black president—allege they were singled out for especially harsh treatment due to their nationality. According to the Associated Press, Mandla Mandela stated, “Their treatment was because we are a nation that dared through our government to take apartheid Israel to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court and hold them accountable.”
Two Muslim women among the group, Fatima Hendricks and Zaheera Soomar, described particularly distressing events during their detention. Speaking to reporters at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, Soomar said, “Both of us were forced behind a screen, our heads pushed against the wall and completely stripped naked in front of Israeli soldiers. This did not happen to other women. When they saw our passports, this is how we were treated as South Africans.” Hendricks echoed these claims, emphasizing that their hijabs were forcibly removed—an act that, they said, was not inflicted on other Muslim female activists from different countries.
Since late 2023, South Africa has played a leading role in a contentious case at the United Nations’ top court, the ICJ, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The case has drawn global attention and the support of several countries, including Nicaragua, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, as reported by multiple sources including the Associated Press and local South African outlets. The South African government’s decision to pursue this legal route has been seen by many as a continuation of its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause—a relationship that stretches back to the days of Nelson Mandela’s presidency. South Africa has repeatedly compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to the apartheid regime’s policies against Black South Africans, a comparison that Israel categorically rejects.
The flotilla incident is the latest flashpoint in this fraught relationship. Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla last week, detaining around 450 activists from various countries. Among those arrested was Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who, along with other non-South African detainees, also claimed mistreatment by Israeli guards. Israel has dismissed these allegations as “brazen lies,” according to statements from its Foreign Ministry. In response to the South Africans’ claims specifically, the ministry said, “All the legal rights of the participants in this PR stunt were and will continue to be fully upheld. The lies they are spreading are part of their pre-planned fake news campaign.” The ministry further asserted that all activists were offered the opportunity to voluntarily be deported without detention, denying any systematic mistreatment.
The Israeli military intercepted yet another flotilla early on October 8, detaining scores more activists, further escalating tensions. While details about the latest detainees have yet to emerge, the pattern of allegations and denials continues to fuel debate in international forums and on social media.
Back in South Africa, the activists’ return was met with both support and scrutiny. Mandla Mandela, who has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, has faced criticism in the past for his alleged support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas—a stance that led to his denial of a visa to the United Kingdom in 2024. Despite such controversies, Mandela remains a prominent figure in the movement to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians, often invoking his grandfather’s legacy and South Africa’s own history of resistance to oppression.
The broader context for these events is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The territory, home to more than two million Palestinians, has been under a strict Israeli blockade for over a decade, a policy Israel says is necessary for security but which critics argue amounts to collective punishment. The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission was, in the words of organizers, to deliver “a symbolic amount of aid” and challenge the blockade through peaceful protest. The Israeli government maintains that such flotillas are provocative and potentially dangerous, framing them as public relations stunts rather than genuine humanitarian efforts.
South Africa’s case at the ICJ has only heightened the stakes. Filed in late 2023, the case accuses Israel of actions amounting to genocide in Gaza—a charge Israel vehemently denies, instead accusing South Africa of acting as Hamas’ “legal arm.” The case has become a rallying point for pro-Palestinian activists worldwide, while also drawing sharp criticism from Israel’s allies who argue the allegations are unfounded and politically motivated.
This diplomatic standoff is not occurring in a vacuum. South Africa’s historic support for the Palestinian cause is deeply embedded in its national narrative. During the apartheid era, the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid groups forged close ties with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), viewing their struggles as interconnected battles against oppression and colonialism. Nelson Mandela himself famously stated, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” This legacy continues to inform South Africa’s foreign policy and public discourse, even as it sparks controversy both at home and abroad.
Israel, for its part, rejects any comparison between its policies and South African apartheid, arguing that such analogies distort the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and delegitimize its security concerns. Israeli officials have pointed to the country’s offers of humanitarian aid to Gaza and its stated willingness to negotiate, even as critics argue that these measures are insufficient in the face of ongoing blockades and military operations.
The flotilla incident and the activists’ allegations have become a microcosm of these larger debates. Supporters of the activists see their ordeal as further evidence of what they describe as systematic abuses by Israeli authorities, particularly against those who challenge its policies. Detractors, including the Israeli government, insist that such claims are exaggerated or fabricated for political gain.
As the legal battle at the ICJ continues and activists on both sides prepare for further confrontations, the personal stories of those like Mandla Mandela, Fatima Hendricks, and Zaheera Soomar serve as a stark reminder of the human dimension behind the headlines. Their experiences, whether viewed as emblematic of a broader struggle or as isolated incidents, have injected new urgency into the ongoing debate over justice, accountability, and the future of Gaza.
With tempers flaring and narratives clashing on the world stage, the journey of these six South Africans has ensured that the intersection of activism, diplomacy, and human rights remains firmly in the international spotlight.
