By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) have expressed that they are in full support of Global Sumud Flotilla which will have 10 South African delegates who will set sail on the voyage to Palestine in order to aid Gaza against the conflict with Israel.

The South African delegates are currently awaiting their launch of their boats in Tunisia, while other delegates from different countries have already set sail from Spain and have made plans to join them along the way.

 Since October 7,2023, Gaza has been under siege by Israel and have caused massive destruction and bloodshed in the Gaza strip.

There are barely any stable infrastructures left according to GIWUSA.

 “Barely a building is still intact in the tiny strip, which is home to some 2 million people. While over 60 thousand people have been confirmed dead, experts estimate the true number is much higher, as many are missing or trapped under the rubble,” via a statement made by the GIWUSA.

The GIWUSA, have also accused the Government of National Unity (GNU) of hypocrisy as they make claims that the Ramaphosa-led GNU are not on the side of Palestine.

They have said that the GNU-government has created a “smokescreen” when they chose to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yet have not made efforts to end their trade with Israel or even expel their embassy from the country.

The government still authorizes shipments of coal to Israel a reported 1.8 million tonnes since the beginning of the conflict which keep military operations and electrical grids running.

 GIWUSA has also expressed that South Africa hosts the Amazon Web Services (AWS) as it provides the tech platform which the Israeli military uses  in order to kill Palestinians.

The AWS have constructed their headquarters on the ancestral land of the Khoi and San people, as they continue to destroy the remains of their heritage as well as facilitating “colonialism against indigenous Palestinians.” 

The GIWUSA applaud the 10 delegates who have bravely decided to join the fight for Palestine and have bashed the GNU for not stepping up and showing an example of what they “preach”.

Reports of drones have been spotted flying over the Flotilla that has set sail from Spain. This is reminiscent of earlier missions to Gaza as boats have been ambushed by Israeli military who were either arrested or killed.

 A flotilla that was meant to set course for Gaza was struck by drones on 2 May, 2025 while the ship was docked.

The GIWUSA have urged the GNU to cease their coal trade deal with Israel, to also cease all forms of trade with Israel, to shut down the Israeli embassy in South Africa and to ban travel to and from Israel, unless under dire circumstances.