South African MP Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, will join 10 South Africans aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla as it attempts to reach Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade, the organizers said. The convoy departed Spanish ports earlier this week and is assembling in Tunisia before pushing east.
The flotilla comprises activists, politicians and artists from at least 44 countries, traveling on dozens of small civilian vessels. Organizers say the mission aims to deliver aid and spotlight Gaza’s humanitarian collapse. Some sailings were briefly delayed by weather, but participants say they will continue once conditions allow.
Speaking at Johannesburg Airport, Mandela said Palestinians “are experiencing a far worse form of apartheid than we ever experienced,” urging coordinated global pressure and sanctions similar to those that helped end apartheid in South Africa. Israel rejects the apartheid comparison and says the blockade is intended to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas.
Background: South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in December 2023; judges indicated provisional measures on Jan. 26, 2024, and proceedings continue. Separately, on Nov. 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza—warrants Israel disputes.