Gaza refugees taken for a ride

THE GROUP of 153 Palestinian refugees, who arrived in South Africa this week, had reportedly paid US$2000 each for the promise of safe transport and settlement in a host country, only to realise that their journey was fraught with uncertainty.

The humanitarian crisis unfolded at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng on Thursday, as the refugees, among them a pregnant woman and children who were stripped of their possessions in the devastating conflict in Gaza, only learned of their destination when they landed in the country. 

Sarah Oosthuizen, a volunteer with humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers said the group arrived with only their passports, some cash and phones.

Oosthuizen said the refugees were unsure of where they were going until they received boarding passes in Nairobi via Global Airways Lift to OR Tambo.

"Most are in family groups. They are malnourished, traumatised and have untended chronic ailments.

"Multiple organisations and individuals, like Gift of the Givers and Caring Women's Forum and ordinary South Africans are extending incredible hospitality and provision," she said.

Oosthuizen said on October 28 a plane with 180 people had also landed in Johannesburg and like this week's arrival's they too did not have exit stamps from Israel.

"This must be investigated thoroughly to determine who the role players are behind this," said Oosthuizen.

Na'eem Jeenah, an activist and community leader who has been in contact with the Palestinians since their arrival in Johannesburg, said the group was not together and were being accommodated in different places across Johannesburg.

"Some are with South African families, others in hotels and others are living in houses and flats provided to them by compassionate South Africans," he said.

Jeenah said each person in the group paid an amount of money to an organisation called Al-Majd to get a safe passage out of Gaza.

"Several people in Gaza applied online, on a website of an organisation called Al-Majd. Al-Majd's website says it was established 10 years ago, but its domain is only about three years old. The website says it's registered in Germany; it's not. The website gives an office address in Germany; there is no such office," said Jeenah.

He said the travellers were not told where they were being taken.

"Initially they were told each person could take a rucksack. Then those were taken from them. They were allowed to travel only with the clothes on their backs, a cell phone, a passport and some money that they had on them."

He said they will undergo full medical tests.

"They have emerged from an active genocide taking place. The children and babies spent most or all of their lives running from bombs being dropped on them, and snipers targeting them. Every single person in the group has witnessed or been a victim of horrors that no human being should be subjected to. We can expect that their mental health has been seriously affected," he said.

Jeenah said while they have 90-day entry in South Africa, some will move on to other countries where they have family, while others will opt to apply for asylum.

"We don't know yet how many will take which option. Right now they are recovering from a horrible ordeal," he said.

Jeenah said the group that arrived in October was being similarly accommodated, and receiving the same services from the civil society collective.

On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport the travellers waited more than 12 hours before they were allowed into the country.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, confirmed that a chartered flight with travellers from Palestine arrived in Johannesburg from Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday.

"Upon arrival, the 153 travellers on board were facilitated through the relevant immigration processes by officials from the Border Management Authority (BMA). During the process, BMA officials noticed the absence of departure stamps in some of their passports, as well as the fact that a number of travellers did not appear to have return tickets or addresses for their accommodation in South Africa.

"As a result of the identified discrepancies in this case, the BMA could not allow them entry right away. The Government of South Africa subsequently interacted with the Palestinian embassy and other role-players. It was established that the absence of stamps, return tickets and accommodation addresses did not indicate that the travellers wished to apply for asylum.

As a result, once it was confirmed that they would be provided with accommodation and care during their visit, the Minister of Home Affairs presented the new fact set to the BMA Commissioner for consideration, including on humanitarian grounds," said Schreiber.

He said the travellers were granted entry into South Africa on the standard 90-day visa exemption, subject to compliance with the standard conditions.

"By the time that entry was granted, 23 members of the group had already taken onward flights to other destinations," said Schreiber.

Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), did not want to provide any details on the matter.

Phiri said the statement from the Department of Home Affairs represents Dirco's comments until further notice.

The Embassy of the State of Palestine in South Africa in a social media post confirmed that it has been working in close coordination and collaboration with the South African authorities to resolve the humanitarian situation involving the arrival of 153 Palestinian citizens from Gaza, without any prior note or coordination.

"The Embassy also clarifies that the travel of these 153 Palestinians was arranged by an unregistered and misleading organisation that exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner. This entity later attempted to disown any responsibility once complications arose," read the statement.

Abdool Valodia, president of United for Palestine, praised the South African government for their compassionate handling of the situation.

"Our deep appreciation also goes to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, and the Director-General of DIRCO, Mr Zane Dangor, for their decisive and principled action in granting entry visas to these distressed citizens from Gaza.

"This humanitarian gesture extended, despite their arrival without prior coordination, is a powerful testament to the solidarity that South Africa has consistently shown the Palestinian people," he said.

Valodia said this incident, however, revealed a darker reality.

"United for Palestine issues a stern warning to the Israeli Zionist regime, airline companies, and all other entities or corrupt individuals who are misleading Palestinian people, inciting them to relocate under false pretenses, and engaging in what amounts to human trafficking.

"These entities are exploiting the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza for political and financial profit. We state unequivocally that such practices are illegal. Compliance with forced displacement schemes is a crime under international law, and we fully support the pursuit of legal action against these “blood merchants” and “displacement brokers” in both local and international courts. They must, and will be held accountable for their predatory actions," said Valodia.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE