JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 9 (AGCNewsNet) – Six South African activists who were detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to reach Gaza as part of an international aid flotilla have returned home, alleging they were subjected to harsher treatment because of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the United Nations’ top court.

Speaking to journalists at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, the activists said they were singled out for mistreatment once Israeli guards discovered they were South Africans.

Mandla Mandela, a former lawmaker and grandson of South Africa’s anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela, said the group’s ordeal stemmed from their country’s decision to confront Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“The treatment we received was because we are a nation that dared, through our government, to take apartheid Israel to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court,” Mandela said.

Two of the activists, Fatima Hendricks and Zaheera Soomar, described being physically mistreated and having their hijabs forcibly removed during detention. “Both of us were forced behind a screen, our heads pushed against the wall and completely stripped naked in front of Israeli soldiers. This did not happen to other women,” Soomar said.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats carrying about 450 international campaigners attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza and deliver symbolic humanitarian aid to the famine-stricken enclave. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla last week and detained those on board.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied allegations of mistreatment, insisting that all detained activists were offered voluntary deportation and that their rights were respected throughout the process.

The activists’ claims have reignited tensions between Israel and South Africa, whose case before the ICJ accuses Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza—a charge Israel strongly rejects.

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