Palestinians Suffer 'Worse Form of Apartheid' Than Black South Africans, Says Nelson Mandela's Grandson
Mandla Mandela, the grandson of the iconic anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, has made a powerful declaration, stating that the suffering of Palestinians under Israeli occupation is even more severe than what Black South Africans endured during the apartheid era.
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, the 51-year-old South African parliamentarian drew a direct and stark comparison between the two struggles. "Many of us who have visited the occupied territories of Palestine have come to one conclusion: that the Palestinians are facing a worse form of apartheid than ever before," Mandela stated.
His comments lend a significant and deeply personal voice to the growing movement that uses the term "apartheid" to describe Israel's policies towards Palestinians.
A Call for International Solidarity
Drawing parallels with his own country's history, Mandela urged the global community to offer the same unwavering support to the Palestinian cause that was crucial in dismantling apartheid in South Africa.
"We believe that the international community must continue to support the Palestinians, just as they stood by our side," he asserted, framing the issue as a moral imperative for nations and activists around the world.
Activism on the High Seas
Mandela made these remarks as he was preparing to fly to Tunisia to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international effort aimed at breaking the blockade and delivering essential food and humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip.
He is one of ten South African activists participating in the mission. The flotilla is a significant international convoy, comprised of dozens of boats and hundreds of activists from 44 different countries, including prominent figures like Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The mission is a direct act of civil disobedience and humanitarian intervention, challenging the long-standing restrictions on aid entering Gaza.
Echoes of a Freedom Struggle
The mission has received official backing from South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). The party stated that the flotilla's mission "resonates with our own struggle for freedom," officially linking the Palestinian cause to their historical fight against racial segregation and oppression. This endorsement reinforces the deep sense of solidarity felt by many in South Africa for the Palestinian people.
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