Israeli-Estonian citizen is behind shadowy organisation arranging flights out of Gaza: Report

Key Concepts

• Al-Meed Europe: A seemingly unregistered organization coordinating the transfer of Palestinians from Gaza.
• Kogat (Israeli Army Branch): Allegedly working in close coordination with Al-Meed Europe.
• Voluntary Immigration Bureau (Israel): An Israeli government unit established to facilitate the exit of Palestinians from Gaza, with the implication of no return.
• Tomer Janar Lind: An Estonian-Israeli dual citizen linked to Al-Meed Europe and other "phony companies," who confirmed facilitating one-way exits from Gaza in coordination with the Israeli army.
• "Voluntary Migration": A term used by Israeli officials, particularly Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Minister of Finance, which is interpreted as a euphemism for ethnic cleansing.
• Colonial Pattern/Systematic Dispossession: The perspective that these transfers are part of a long-standing Israeli policy to remove indigenous Palestinians from their land.
• South African Asylum Process: Described as generous and user-friendly, allowing individuals to apply for asylum even upon arrival as visitors.
• Humanitarian Grounds: The basis on which the South African Minister of Home Affairs granted a 90-day visitor visa to the 153 Palestinians.

Investigation into Palestinian Transfers from Gaza

An investigation by Israeli media group Harets has uncovered the Israeli government's involvement in the controversial transfer of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries. The investigation highlights the role of a little-known group, Al-Meed Europe, which was reportedly operating in close coordination with Kogat, a branch of the Israeli army.

Arrival in Johannesburg and Initial Challenges

The operation came to light with the arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza in Johannesburg on a Thursday. The passengers were held on board for 12 hours at the airport due to a lack of required Israeli exit stamps in their passports. None of them applied for asylum upon arrival. Authorities eventually granted them entry on a 90-day visitor visa, with approximately 130 individuals remaining in South Africa and the rest proceeding to other destinations.

Al-Meed Europe and its Operations

The organization reportedly coordinating these departures, Al-Meed Europe, lists an address in occupied East Jerusalem. However, Al Jazeera's review of a WhatsApp conversation between a Palestinian man (referred to as Ibrahim) and someone claiming to represent Al-Meed Europe revealed a process involving requests for passport details, birth certificates, and a payment of $2,500 per person. Ibrahim's application for himself and his family was ultimately denied. The fact that an unregistered organization could facilitate the movement of Palestinians out of Gaza via Israel on a private chartered plane raises significant questions.

Harets Investigation and New Revelations

The Harets investigation corroborated earlier reports, identifying Al-Meed Europe as a "phony company" with a false address in occupied East Jerusalem and no registration in Germany as claimed. A new component revealed by Harets is the connection to Tomer Janar Lind, a dual Estonian-Israeli citizen linked to several other "phony companies." Lind confirmed to Harets that he was facilitating the one-way exit of families from Gaza in coordination with the Israeli army.

Israeli Government Policy and the Voluntary Immigration Bureau

The Israeli army has established a unit, run by the vice director general of the Ministry of Defense, in charge of so-called "voluntary migration" of Palestinians out of Gaza. This unit's objective is to facilitate the exit of any Palestinian wishing to leave, with the understanding that they will not return. This policy is seen by critics as a continuation of a long colonial pattern of systematic dispossession of indigenous Palestinians, aiming to empty the land of its people through multifaceted approaches.

Discrepancies and Doubts

The details surrounding the transfers have raised doubts. The Israeli military claimed to have seen proper documentation and visas to South Africa. However, South Africa does not require visas for holders of Palestinian passports. Furthermore, passengers reported that upon reaching Kenya, their first destination, they did not go through passport control but were instead ushered onto another charter plane to Johannesburg. These discrepancies further link the shadowy company Al-Meed Europe to the Israeli military and the Israeli government's declared policy of pushing Palestinians out of Gaza.

Wider Strategy and "Ethnic Cleansing"

The transfers are viewed as part of a wider strategy by some within Israel to forcibly displace Palestinians, not just within Gaza but also outside the strip, potentially as part of ethnic cleansing. This policy was reportedly encouraged at the beginning of the year, with references to former US President Donald Trump's comments about considering Gaza a "demolition site" and relocating its population. While the Trump plan text included a guarantee of the right to return for those leaving Gaza, the current right-wing Israeli government is committed to encouraging as many Palestinians as possible to leave, both from Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir (Minister of National Security) and the Minister of Finance have publicly advocated for "voluntary migration" as a solution, which is interpreted by critics as a code for ethnic cleansing. This is seen as a response to efforts at the UN Security Council to implement the Trump plan and end the possibility of complete ethnic cleansing of Gaza, with the ultimate goal for some in Israel being the establishment of settlements in their stead.

South African Perspective and Legal/Humanitarian Responsibilities

Ashraf Esop, a South African immigration lawyer, commented on the situation. He acknowledged the Harets investigation's findings regarding Al-Meed Europe's link to the Israeli Defense Ministry. Regarding South Africa's role, Esop suggested that the airline might not have been entirely candid with authorities, as airlines are typically required to submit advanced passenger manifests. The department of home affairs would then screen for individuals with previous convictions or those prohibited from entering South Africa. The fact that this was a chartered flight and the specifics of any special agreements for entry remain under investigation. Esop believes the South African government and border management were "caught unawares."

Previous Flights and Community Support

A previous flight on October 28th had arrived without incident, with passengers admitted under immigration legislation and granted 30-day visas. No one spoke of asylum or refugee status at that stage. The local community stepped in to host these individuals when the tour operator made no arrangements, highlighting the lack of support for the arriving Palestinians. Many of them did not speak English, and civil society movements provided assistance, which is how the matter became more widely known.

South Africa's Asylum Process and Humanitarian Approach

South Africa has a generous and user-friendly asylum-seeking process. Individuals can arrive as visitors and apply for asylum, and immigration officers are bound to issue an asylum transit visa. Even if asylum is requested later with good cause, it is accommodated. South Africa is known for its treatment of refugees, who are not camped and are allowed to open businesses, marry, and have freedom, treated equally under the constitution. The bill of rights, a cornerstone of democracy, includes the right to dignity, which is interwoven with the immigration act.

Future Prospects for the Palestinians in South Africa

For the 153 Palestinians, two avenues are possible:

1. Departure after 90-day visa: They can leave after their visitor visas expire. The Minister of Home Affairs granted them the full 90-day entitlement on humanitarian grounds.
2. Application for refugee asylum status: They can apply for refugee asylum status. Even if they entered as visitors, their circumstances might change, making return impossible or unaffordable, allowing them to apply for refugee status. This is a matter currently under judgment by the Constitutional Court.
3. Critical Skills: If they possess critical skills, they could apply to stay and contribute to the workforce by asking the minister to waive the requirement to leave.

Conclusion

The investigation reveals a coordinated effort by the Israeli government, through entities like the Voluntary Immigration Bureau and in alleged coordination with groups like Al-Meed Europe and individuals like Tomer Janar Lind, to facilitate the one-way departure of Palestinians from Gaza. This is framed by critics as a continuation of policies aimed at dispossession and potentially ethnic cleansing. South Africa, with its robust asylum system and humanitarian approach, has provided a temporary haven for some of these individuals, who now face decisions about their future status in the country. The lack of transparency and the discrepancies in documentation surrounding the chartered flights highlight the complexities and concerns surrounding these transfers.