Johannesburg: South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola announced on Monday that the recent arrival of a plane filled with Palestinian refugees in Johannesburg appears to be part of a 'clearly orchestrated operation' aimed at displacing Palestinians. Lamola expressed concerns that this event is part of a larger scheme to relocate Palestinians from their homeland to various countries around the world.
According to Anadolu Agency, Minister Lamola highlighted during a news conference that the operation seems to involve multiple countries, not just South Africa. He stated, "It's a clearly orchestrated operation because they are not only being sent to South Africa. There are other countries where such flights have been sent." The government has initiated an investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the plane's arrival, expressing suspicion about the motives behind these actions. Lamola emphasized the seriousness of the situation by stating, "We do not want any further flights to come our way because this is a clear agenda to cleanse out the Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank."
The refugees, numbering 153, arrived last Thursday from Kenya and were granted a 90-day visa exemption by South Africa, despite initially being denied entry due to a lack of travel documents and usual departure stamps in their passports. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full details, and a comprehensive outcome is anticipated.
Further complicating the situation, Haaretz, an Israeli daily, reported that an association managed by an individual with dual Israeli-Estonian citizenship has been selling seats on chartered flights to Palestinians in Gaza. These flights are reportedly destined for distant countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa, with tickets priced around $2,000. In parallel, Israel has previously engaged in discussions with several nations, such as South Sudan, regarding the potential relocation of Palestinians.
The news conference occurred as South Africa, holding the G20 presidency as the first African nation to do so, prepares to host the G20 Leaders' Summit on November 22-23 in Johannesburg. Despite US President Donald Trump's announcement that no US officials would attend, citing 'human rights abuses' against the white Afrikaner population, Lamola indicated that the US's absence is being viewed as 'nonattendance.' Negotiations on the leaders' declaration are ongoing among the attending countries, with a decision expected later in the week.
Minister Lamola reassured that the absence of representatives at the head of state level from nations such as Russia, Mexico, Argentina, and China does not undermine the summit's proceedings. He expressed confidence that consensus can be achieved with those present, allowing for the adoption of a leaders' declaration. South Africa's draft G20 declaration emphasizes the global development agenda, recognizing the diversity of the group as a strength rather than a division and aims to promote open and fair negotiations.
In conclusion, Lamola affirmed, "Even with the US, when they raised concerns, we did our best to accommodate them, and they did come back into some of the meetings at some point." South Africa remains open to future US participation, with ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving an ambitious declaration for Africa, the Global South, and the world.