South African authorities have withdrawn a 90-day visa exemption for Palestinians, citing concerns over a recent charter flight carrying 153 people. According to Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, the flight, as well as another in October, were organized by Israeli actors linked to efforts to relocate residents of the Gaza Strip. This development has sparked fears among rights groups that the Israeli government is attempting to push Palestinians out of Gaza.
The visa exemption withdrawal comes after an investigation into the charter flights, which were found to be part of a campaign of “forced migration.” Schreiber stated that the organizers of the flights were willing to leave the passengers destitute upon arrival in South Africa, abuse of both the visa system and the passengers themselves. The secretive nature of these flights has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who believe that the Israeli government may be trying to empty the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian population.
The Israeli authority responsible for implementing civilian policies in the Palestinian territories has stated that the Palestinians on the chartered plane to South Africa left the Gaza Strip after Israel received approval from a third country to receive them. However, this explanation has not alleviated concerns, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s pledge to support the permanent relocation of over 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Rights groups have criticized this plan, arguing that it would amount to ethnic cleansing.
The situation in the Gaza Strip is complex, with a long history of conflict and displacement. The recent charter flights and subsequent visa exemption withdrawal have added to the uncertainty and concern for the future of the Palestinian population. As the situation continues to unfold, international attention will be focused on the actions of the Israeli government and the response of the global community. The withdrawal of the visa exemption is a significant development, and its implications will be closely watched in the coming days.
