We salute the organisers and sailors of the Global Sumud Flotilla for their brave contribution to keeping the flames of compassion flickering around Gaza despite the Israeli Defence Force’s efforts to bury humanity under heaps of rubble.
The Flotilla may not have reached its goal of getting desperately needed aid to Gaza, after being intercepted by Israeli warships last night and today, but it has more than achieved its goal of keeping the world’s spotlight on the plight of Palestinians.
The fact that the interception was carried out in international waters is but the latest example of Israel’s impunity for international law – for which it is not held accountable due largely to being protected by the US (and its dwindling group of EU friends) at the United Nations.
We say to the genocidaires controlling Israel: Treat the sailors you have abducted or imprisoned off the flotilla, including our own Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, with respect, and return them to their loved ones with the utmost care.
They are heroes who represent the spirit of billions of citizens of more than 150 nations around the world who recognised the State of Palestine at the United Nations last week.
We call on South Africa’s government for moral consistency.
Its courage in laying charges of genocide against Israel at the ICJ is diluted by continuing diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries.
*The author of this article is Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, the Chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust. The views expressed by Dr. Mamphela Ramphele are not necessarily those of The Bulrushes
