S. African flotilla activists allege Israeli torture and electrocution
JOHANNESBURG: South African activists who were detained when their boats were intercepted while trying to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza have alleged they were beaten and tortured by Israeli soldiers.
The Global Sumud Flotilla of 50 boats was intercepted in international waters some 400 km off the coast of Israel as they sought to breach the blockade and deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
According to the activists, who were welcomed by pro-Palestine supporters and their families as they arrived in South Africa from Turkiye on Saturday morning, some of them were even electrocuted while being interrogated about their participation in the flotilla.
They said many of them received even harsher treatment when the soldiers learned that they were from South Africa, a country that has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice and accused it of committing genocide in Gaza.
