The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is the latest to call for safe passage for the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
This comes as the organisers move closer to Gaza, warning that the journey is becoming increasingly dangerous, with several boats reporting targeted explosions.
The EFF has says the journey to Gaza is a “historic humanitarian mission” aimed at breaking what it calls a criminal blockade.
EFF SLAMS ATTACKS ON FLOTILLA
The flotilla, carrying more than 500 citizens from various countries, has reported at least 13 explosions, with foreign objects dropped on 10 boats. The EFF condemned the alleged attacks as “persistent harassment,” describing them as deliberate acts of aggression against a civilian humanitarian mission.
Among the passengers on the GSF are 10 South Africans, who the EFF says embody the principle that the country’s liberation, which remains incomplete until all oppressed peoples are free. Former Member of Parliament and the grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela is also part of the South African group.
“The GSF is an important declaration of humanity’s refusal to accept genocide, apartheid, and imperial domination. The EFF, therefore, reaffirms its solidarity with Palestine, with the heroic participants of the flotilla,” the party said.
PARTY STANDS WITH PALESTINE
Meanwhile, Dr Eran Shamir-Borer, Director of Israel’s National Security and Democracy programme, was quoted in The Times of Israel as saying that allegations the blockade is designed to punish or starve Gaza’s civilian population are baseless. The publication further reported that Israel intends to intercept ships, such as the GSF, that seek to break its blockade.
The EFF criticised Israel for branding what it calls a “non-violent civilian mission” as a “Hamas flotilla,” and reiterated its solidarity with both Palestine and the “heroic participants of the flotilla.”
