Pro-Palestine supporters in SA repeat calls for release of all flotilla delegates detained by Israeli forces

Pro-Palestinian supporters in South Africa are once again calling for the release of all delegates detained by Israeli forces, including seven citizens.

About 100 demonstrators participated in the Freedom Walk in Lenasia on Sunday in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla passengers who were taken last week. 

The Israeli navy stopped 45 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining more than 400 activists and politicians.

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The international community has been up in arms over what some have described as an illegal interception by the Israeli navy.

Many efforts have been put in to de-escalate the volatile region and bring about the restoration of peace.

In recent efforts for a ceasefire, US President Donald Trump put down a 20-point plan which includes the release of hostages in Hamas captivity, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Back home, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance’s Firoza Mayet said that the South African government must act decisively.

"Our biggest goal right now is to release the South Africans that have been detained, and all of the delegates. We are calling on the government to stop the countries that are exporting coal to Israel and enabling the genocide. We are calling on our government to stop all diplomatic ties with Israel, all economic ties, that they need to be totally isolated and the impunity needs to be expelled."

Meanwhile, the International Relations department has confirmed that the process of returning detained South African delegates is at an advanced stage.