DaysofPal_ The spokesperson for the European Commission, Anwar Al-Aouni, reaffirmed the European Union’s opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, stressing that “Gaza is an important part of the future Palestinian state, and there must be no forced transfer.”
His comments came during his daily press briefing in response to journalists’ questions regarding the unexplained arrival of a group of Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa on a flight originating from Israel.
Al-Aouni stated that he did not have detailed information about the case, but added: “Nevertheless, our position has not changed. The European Union rejects any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza.”
He emphasized that the EU supports the integration of Gaza with the West Bank, saying: “As President Ursula von der Leyen has stated, Gaza is an essential part of the future Palestinian state, and there must be no forced displacement.”
Separately, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, noted that further investigation is needed.
“We are not yet certain whether this was forced displacement or voluntary departure; we need to examine the matter,” she said.
Flight from Israel to South Africa
On November 13, authorities at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport detained 153 Palestinians for nearly 13 hours after they arrived on a connecting flight from Israel’s Ramon Airport to Kenya. The passengers were held because their passports did not contain Israeli exit stamps.
South Africa’s Border Security Agency eventually allowed them to enter the country under existing visa exemptions, which permit holders of Palestinian passports to visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days.
A statement from Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), cited by Israeli media, said the Palestinians had left Gaza after receiving approval from a third country willing to accept them, in accordance with Israeli government policy that allows Gaza residents to depart if another country agrees to receive them.
Observers warn that Israel may use such measures as a new tool to displace Palestinians from their land.
Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters that the government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the Palestinians who were “placed under mysterious conditions on a plane” and transported to South Africa via Nairobi.
He stressed: “We will conduct a thorough assessment and determine what the future holds.”
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