Six S Africans released from Israel

The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation on Tuesday confirmed the release of six South African activists from Israel, saying they will arrive in the country on Wednesday.

Last week, activist and former President Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela raised the alarm on his arrest and the arrests of 469 other activists, amid global calls for their release and for an end to the conflict between Palestine and Israel.

South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla, Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

Last week, in a pre-recorded video Mandela said he was kidnapped by Israeli forces who intercepted the flotilla.

"…if you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and I have been abducted by the apartheid State of Israel, I call on you to request our government to exact pressure for my immediate release," he said.

South African Global Sumud Flotilla detainees were released on Tuesday and will return home via Jordan.

The flotilla comprises over 40 vessels with 500 participants from more than 44 countries, making it the largest civilian-led convoy of its kind in history.

The activists were enroute to Gaza to deliver food and medical supplies when they were arrested in international waters and detained by the Israeli government.

Committee chairperson Supra Mahumapelo welcomed the release of the activists, urging other countries to support a two-State solution approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Mahumapelo said while Palestine supports the creation of the two States, Israeli currently does not support the proposal.

"We call for the end of the conflict where the lives of innocent babies, children and women were lost. We call for the seize fire and destruction of both countries," he said.