Concerns Mandela's grandson blocked from entering UK over Gaza stance
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The SPSC expresses fear that the UK Government is intentionally delaying Mandla Mandela’s visa due to his vocal opposition to "Israel".
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Hamas official Basem Naim, second right, speaks to journalists as Mandla Mandela, center, watches on at Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, December 5, 2023. (AP)
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) organized a series of talks last week featuring Mandla Mandela, the grandson of the former South African president who fought apartheid.
The discussions took place in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Glasgow, as well as in four cities across England and Dublin, Ireland.
However, despite previously holding a 10-year visa for the UK, Mandela has encountered delays in the issuance of his visa, which has prevented him from traveling to the UK, and as a result, participating in the talks virtually, the website pointed out, The National news website reported
The SPSC has expressed concerns that the UK Government is intentionally delaying Mandela’s visa due to his vocal opposition to "Israel" and his support for South Africa's case against the occupation entity before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
UK: Delay 'purely administrative'
In January, South Africa filed a case at the United Nations' highest court, accusing "Israel" of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and requesting the court to order the Israeli military to cease its aggression.
The ICJ ruled that "Israel" must take all necessary measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, though it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
The UK Government has denied that Mandela's visa was blocked due to his support for the case, stating to the SPSC that the delay is "purely administrative".
“The UK considers a wide range of information when assessing the suitability of visa applicants, across a range of issues where it would be appropriate to refuse a visa," a government spokesperson said.
“This forms part of our robust safeguards in protecting the security of the UK border.”
SPSC meeting abruptly canceled
Additionally, the SPSC’s meeting in Aberdeen was relocated on Monday following a last-minute cancellation of the venue by Aberdeen University.
A spokesperson for the university said it reserves "the right to cancel or refuse bookings where appropriate and in line with our policies.”
During the event on Monday, Mandela condemned the UK’s stance on "Israel’s" aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, as the Israeli occupation forces persist with their assaults on civilians there.
“By closing the doors on us today, as activists and peace and freedom-loving people of the world, you have shown us that you have chosen the side of the oppressor," he said commenting on the delay in issuing his visa to the UK.
Read more: 'We are all Hamas': South Africans chant on Al-Aqsa Flood anniversary
