Gaza 'freedom flotilla' could find flag to sail in few weeks: Mandela’s grandson

By Hassan Isilow

Mandla Mandela, a South African member of Parliament and grandson to global icon Nelson Mandela, has said the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition hopes to find a new country’s flag to sail in the next few weeks to deliver much needed humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

Speaking to Anadolu, Mandela said: “We hope that in the next few weeks we shall be able to find a flag that we can utilize to take humanitarian aid which is much needed by the Palestinians in Gaza and we want to ensure that it reaches them as quick as possible."

Last month, plans of the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition were disrupted when Guinea-Bissau decided to withdraw its flag from ships that would deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Mandela said they were supposed to have sailed on April 18, but dates kept changing due to what he described as pressures from Zionist lobby that were exerted on some port authorities. He said they had been able to raise over 5,500 tons of humanitarian aid in food and medical equipment destined to Gaza.

“We appeal to the global community to exert pressure on their countries who are in Solidarity with Palestinians to ensure they can be able to find a solution to enable us to utilize their flag to sail,’’ he said.

He said as South Africa they are focusing on speaking to likeminded countries such as Angola, Algeria and Venezuela to assist them.

Mandla who is part of the International Freedom Flotilla said he had met with the former Mayor of Barcelona who is also speaking to his country.

Last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country supports the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s humanitarian mission to Gaza.

“We support the Freedom Flotilla, so we want you to know that you have our full support,’’ Ramaphosa said while on a campaign trip in Cape Town.

Mandla welcomed Ramaphosa’s unequivocal support for the Palestinian struggle.