South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has raised suspicions over a chartered flight that arrived in Johannesburg last week carrying more than 150 Palestinians, suggesting it is part of a broader agenda to displace Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. The flight, which originated from Israel’s Ramon Airport with a stopover in Kenya, has sparked concerns about a coordinated effort to relocate Palestinians globally. Lamola did not explicitly name Israel but implied its involvement, stating, “It does look like it represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine into many different parts of the world.” The Israeli authority responsible for civilian policies in Palestinian territories clarified that the passengers left Gaza with approval from a third country, as part of a policy allowing residents to depart. However, the third country was not disclosed. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an intelligence investigation into the matter, emphasizing the government’s opposition to such flights. The passengers, including families and a heavily pregnant woman, were initially denied entry due to improper documentation but were later allowed to disembark after a 12-hour delay. South Africa, a longstanding supporter of the Palestinian cause, has criticized Israel’s actions, with civic groups alleging ties between the flight’s organizer, Al-Majd, and Israel. An anonymous Israeli military official confirmed Al-Majd’s role in arranging the transport, while a South African NGO noted this was the second such flight in recent weeks. The incident has reignited debates over Israel’s resettlement policies and their implications for Palestinian rights.
South Africa foreign minister says charter flights part of a plan to clear Palestinians out of Gaza
