Global Sumud South Africa shared that on Monday and Tuesday this week, Israeli Defence Forces intercepted all 60 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Cyprus and abducted all 460 civilians on board.
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Families of the South Africans, who are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla and who are expected to be transported to Istanbul later this afternoon before returning home, have described the harrowing week they have had to cope with, amidst the uncertainty of their loved ones' safety after Israeli forces detained them.
Global Sumud South Africa shared that on Monday and Tuesday this week, Israeli Defence Forces intercepted all 60 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Cyprus and abducted all 460 civilians on board.
“Those abducted have been forcibly transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they are currently being held."
The six South Africans detained are: Moghamed Faeek Afriedien Hajar Kagiso Al Thaira Ahjum Mathee, Former Ambassador Faizel Moosa, Qutb Hendricks, Ebrahim Peters, and Yusuf Rahman.
The interception of the flotilla, which is made up of approximately 100 countries, comes after last year’s attempts to break Israel's blockade obstructing the delivery of aid to Palestine.
The family of Ambassador Faizel Moosa, who is a humanitarian, political activist, and veteran of the anti-Apartheid struggle, said that while they are a family of activists, it has been an emotional experience.
His daughter, Fatima Khan-Wise, said: “We don't know the lengths that the Israelis will go, and we don't know the lines they will cross, and from what we've seen on social media, they are willing to cross beyond what the South African apartheid government did with the people of colour in South Africa.
“It's anxiety-inducing, but at the same time, we are so proud of our father for standing after something that's much bigger than himself,” Khan-Wise said.
The family of Ambassador Faizel Moosa (pictured), who is a humanitarian, political activist, and veteran of the anti-Apartheid struggle, said that while they are a family of activists, it has been an emotional and anxiety-inducing experience.
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She also touched on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir having released footage showing the illegally detained volunteers bound, blindfolded, and forced onto their knees on concrete.
“It is quite unnerving to see these videos and know that my father is one of those people, and could possibly be hurt.
“We don't have information on our individual families, but we know that this is something that the Palestinians have been going through for decades, and it's just an extension of what the Israelis are willing to do with people that were captured in international waters,” Khan-Wise said.
The family of Ambassador Faizel Moosa (Green beanie), who is a humanitarian, political activist, and veteran of the anti-Apartheid struggle, said that while they are a family of activists, it has been an emotional and anxiety-inducing experience.
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“So his last message was, he sent a video to us saying that the Israelis are about to board, and we must understand that we're still doing this because of the Palestinians, and no matter what happens, we need to continue the fight.”
Khan-Wise said they are very proud of him and that they have rallied together. She added that they have been in contact with government who has been providing updates.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has condemned the abduction, calling for restraint and "respect for international law and the immediate protection of the rights, dignity and safety of all concerned".
"The safety, security and physical integrity of all unarmed participants aboard the Flotilla, including South African citizens, are of paramount importance.”
Radio presenter, Gadija Ahjum, is the mother of 22-year-old Master's student, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah, who has also been detained by Israeli forces, said that it is about the bigger cause.
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Radio presenter, Gadija Ahjum, is the mother of 22-year-old Masters student, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah, who has also been detained by Israeli forces, said that it is about the bigger cause.
“Yes I find myself now speaking to you, but, you know, I'm fortunate that I'm privileged from the point that I have a voice. I have spaces that I can access with people who can listen to me. The important thing for me is to constantly amplify the message that our delegates wanted amplified,” Ahjum said.
“This is one of those moments that we recognise that the political is personal and the personal is political. Hajar is my daughter. For the third night in a row, I went to bed, not knowing... Not knowing if she's okay or not. It's difficult for me, yes, as a mother, it's an incredibly emotional time. As a mother, yes, it's really, really, really hard…”
Ahjum said that while her daughter comes from an activist family, her daughter has told her that, “If every anti-Apartheid activist’s mother, or father, or loved one held onto them and said, let somebody else go to the front lines… We would still be living under Apartheid conditions”.
Ahjum said that when her daughter was detained, she was on the phone with her.
“She spoke, she took a picture at that moment. She said, ‘Mom, Dad, they are coming’... She was calm. We saw the livestream of her particular boat as those occupation forces and soldiers got out of the boat. They (the detainees) were unarmed, and they took them.”
Ahjum said that while she is gravely concerned about her daughter, “because she's now within her space, surrounded by the most immoral army in the world”.
“So, yes, as a mother, I'm hugely concerned, but I also recognise that she would want us to support her in this way. To continue amplifying the message, because we need to get them home.”
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation also expressed its outrage and unreserved condemnation.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. We further call on the South African government and the international community to hold the perpetrators of this maritime abduction accountable.”
An incident report from the Global Sumud Flotilla on Thursday said that: “Diplomatic sources confirm that all GSF members are expected to be transported to Istanbul later this afternoon via Umm Al Rashrash airport (Eilat/Ramon Airport). While this information has been confirmed by multiple sources, the situation on the ground may change.”
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za
Radio presenter, Gadija Ahjum, is the mother of 22-year-old Masters student, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah, who has also been detained by Israeli forces, said that it is about the bigger cause.
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