Gaza FFC joined by Nelson Mandela's grandson, urges world to block Israeli ships at anchor

ISTANBUL - The grandson of South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela has urged the global community to exert pressure and prevent Israeli vessels from entering their ports.

This call is with the aim of achieving a ceasefire and halting the bombing of Gaza.

Mandla Mandela, who is also a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress (ANC), said local authorities also need to be firm in rejecting and revoking permits applied for by Israel to dock at their ports.

"Today we call on those who work in ports around the world to ensure that no products or goods and ships from Israel enter through their ports.

"We want to appeal to the global community, all ports must revoke Israel's permits to enter their ports so that they cannot continue to trade freely," he said when met by reporters in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Last December, Malaysia decided to block and ban the Israeli-based shipping company ZIM from docking at any port in Malaysia.

The immediate and permanent ban was in response to Israel's actions that disregarded basic humanitarian principles and violated international law through continuous massacres and atrocities against Palestinians.

Although this action may seem 'small', it can change Israel's economic patterns, especially restrictions at major ports worldwide.

"We have seen that this 'small' action can be done. Since the government has not taken sufficient action, we as humanitarian activists can bring about the necessary changes," he added.

The grandson of South Africa's first President, Nelson Mandela, will join the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) humanitarian aid mission "Break The Siege: Mission To Gaza 2024," which is expected to set sail on April 26 (Friday).

His grandfather was an anti-apartheid activist and politician who was imprisoned for 27 years for his role in opposing the apartheid system that deprived the rights of black people. He was elected as the first democratically elected black president of South Africa.

Eighteen Malaysians are currently participating in the international civilian community's voyage aboard the flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip via sea routes following the dire humanitarian situation in the region.

They include doctors, humanitarian activists, and media practitioners. Among the Malaysian media practitioners joining the flotilla are writer and broadcast journalist from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohd Yusof, and Bernama TV cameraman Mohammad Nulhakim Jailan.

Activists from 30 countries, including Malaysia, have been gathering in Istanbul since April 18 for the final preparations for the "Break the Siege: Freedom Flotilla Mission to Gaza 2024" mission. - BERNAMA