10 months ago
Gazans Flee to South Africa Amid Displacement Concerns
People from Gaza, a place with many problems like fighting and lack of medical care, paid a lot of money to fly to South Africa.
They traveled with about 130 other people.
This trip was arranged by a group they found online.
South Africa is looking into how these people arrived because they are worried it might be a way to make Palestinians leave their home area.
Israel said people should be allowed to leave Gaza.
Some people who made the trip said they had to leave because of the fighting and destruction, and one person needed medical care.
South Africa says the travelers might not have had all the right papers, while Israel says they had visas and approvals.
130 Palestinians from Gaza paid $2,000 per seat to fly to South Africa, transiting through Kenya.
South Africa is investigating the flight's arrival, suspecting it could be part of a plan to displace Palestinians.
Israel confirmed the Gazans had visas and stated that Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza should be allowed to do so.
Passengers cited dire conditions in Gaza, including conflict and lack of medical care, as reasons for leaving.
South African border authorities noted the arrivals lacked departure stamps, return tickets, and accommodation details, while Israel's military liaison stated they had necessary approvals.
- Who
- 130 Palestinians from Gaza, South African authorities, including Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, Israeli government officials, and a group called Al-Majd Europe.
- What
- A group of 130 Palestinians paid approximately $2,000 per seat to fly from Gaza to South Africa, arriving under circumstances South Africa is investigating as potentially part of a bid to displace Palestinians. The flight was arranged by an organization called Al-Majd Europe.
- Where
- The Palestinians departed from Gaza, were flown out of an Israeli airport (Ramon), transited through Nairobi, Kenya, and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- When
- The Palestinians arrived in Johannesburg on November 13, having departed Gaza the previous week. The trip was arranged after applications made about six months prior. Israel reportedly eased leaving rules in May.
- Why
- According to one passenger, the reason for leaving was to seek medical treatment and a better life due to dire conditions in Gaza, including ongoing conflict and destruction of homes. South Africa is investigating whether the flight's circumstances suggest a broader agenda to displace Palestinians.
South Africa
Israel
Circumstances of Arrival and Intent
South Africa
South African authorities are investigating the 'suspicious circumstances' of the flight's arrival, with the Foreign Minister suggesting it may represent a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from their homeland. South Africa also claims the arrivals did not have the required approvals and permits.
Israel
Israel states that Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza should be allowed to do so and also to return. COGAT confirmed the Gazans had valid visas and received approval from an unnamed third country for their departure, including authorization to land in South Africa.
Key facts
- Number of Palestinians
- 130
- Reported Cost Per Seat
- Flight Arrival Date in Johannesburg
- November 13
- Visa Duration
- 90-day visas
- Organizing Group
- Al-Majd Europe (advertised online)
- Departure Points
- Gaza, Kerem Shalom crossing, Ramon airport (Israel)
- Transit Points
- Nairobi, Kenya
Quotes
President Cyril Ramaphosa
President of South Africa
“'It does seem like they were being flushed out of Gaza'”
firstpost.com
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa
“'It does look like it represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine into many different parts of the world'”
firstpost.com
Oroub el-Abed, associate professor
Associate Professor in International Migration and Refugee Studies at Birzeit University in Ramallah
“'This is very much part of a long colonial pattern, very systematic dispossession of indigenous Palestinians that has been perpetuated by Zionist Israelis'”
firstpost.com
Sources
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