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The latest illegal abduction of Global Sumud Flotilla activists by Israeli military forces in international waters has seen several South African delegates captured. South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) expresses our unwavering solidarity with the following South Africans, who joined the mission of civilians who set sail carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza: Qutb Hendricks, Ebrahim Peters, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah Ahjum Mathee, Ambassador Faizel Moosa, Mogamed Faeek Ariefdien and Yusuf Rahman. We demand intervention from the South African government to ensure the immediate release of those abducted. 

This Global Sumud Flotilla is necessary because governments worldwide have not fulfilled their duty to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza. It has instead been left to ordinary civilians to attempt to break the siege. 

While these activists risk their lives to deliver aid, the people of Gaza face horrors that demand immediate action: At least 72,000 Palestinians have been killed, with many more still buried under rubble, yet to be counted. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. More than 85% of Gaza's population is now crammed into a shrinking "safe zone", and Israel has restricted aid and cut off food and essential medical supplies, leading to widespread hunger and many preventable deaths. Even during a so-called ceasefire, Israeli attacks continue, killing and wounding Palestinians daily.

We demand:

1. That governments worldwide fulfil their duty to end the genocide in Gaza, so that ordinary civilians do not have to risk their lives. 
2. The immediate release of all South Africans captured, as well as the immediate release of all flotilla members captured, regardless of nationality.  
3. That South African leaders, organisations and civil society groups break their silence and exert maximum diplomatic pressure to ensure the release of those captured.
4. That world leaders ensure unimpeded passage for the Global Sumud Flotilla and Land Convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel's apprehension of the members of this mission in fact constitutes kidnapping and piracy and is a flagrant violation of international law. These are unarmed civilians who were legally bringing life-saving aid to a starving population, illegally being kept under siege and subjected to the horrors of genocide.

As South African Jews, we cannot remain silent in the face of Zionist apartheid. We therefore demand freedom for all detainees, and an end to the siege and genocide. 

Issued by South African Jews for a Free Palestine