South Africa’s FM on ‘mysterious’ flight carrying Gaza Palestinians | Talk to Al Jazeera

Key Concepts

• Palestinian Evacuation Flight: A chartered flight carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza that landed in South Africa without prior agreement or clear travel plans.
• Ethnic Cleansing/Depopulation: South Africa's suspicion that the flight was part of a broader Israeli campaign to remove Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
• Humanitarian Grounds: The reason South Africa initially allowed the disembarkation of passengers from the flight.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) Genocide Case: South Africa's legal action against Israel, accusing it of genocide in Gaza.
• G20 Summit: South Africa's upcoming hosting of the G20 summit, focusing on multilateralism, international law, and economic justice.
• Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA): A US trade program that has expired for South Africa, impacting jobs and trade relations.
• South-South Cooperation: South Africa's emphasis on collaboration between developing countries.

Summary

The Palestinian Evacuation Flight and South Africa's Response

South Africa was caught off guard by a chartered flight carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza that landed in Johannesburg. The passengers, many lacking exit stamps, slips, or clear travel plans, remained on the runway for nearly 12 hours while authorities investigated the circumstances. South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, stated that the government views this event as part of a "wider project of ethnic cleansing or depopularization of Gaza." He emphasized that there was no prior agreement with the Palestinian Authority for such arrivals, and consequently, South Africa will not accept further flights of this nature, vowing to turn them back. However, the initial flight was permitted to disembark on humanitarian grounds due to the abrupt nature of its arrival.

Lamola acknowledged that a previous similar flight in October had raised red flags, but the origin of this particular flight, reportedly from Kenya, obscured immediate intentions. The investigation is ongoing to identify all parties involved, including the group "Almudged Europe," and their potential ties to the Israeli army and defense ministry. The 90-day visas granted to the passengers are temporary, and their long-term status will be determined after the investigation concludes. South Africa has not offered assurances of long-term stay, as the situation is viewed within the context of potential ethnic cleansing.

South Africa's ICJ Case Against Israel

The incident with the flight is intrinsically linked to South Africa's broader stance on the conflict, particularly its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged genocide in Gaza. Lamola explained that South Africa's history with apartheid compels it to act when witnessing similar patterns. He cited the "unprecedented" killing and destruction of civilian infrastructure, including that of innocent civilians and children, as evidence supporting the genocide claim.

Lamola expressed confidence in South Africa's case, highlighting the "comprehensive document" submitted to the ICJ, which includes evidence of intent, such as speeches by Israeli authorities. He noted that the ICJ's preliminary finding of "plausible genocide" validates their submission. While acknowledging the lengthy nature of ICJ proceedings, South Africa remains committed to seeking accountability for actions already taken. Lamola stressed that diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and peace negotiations are separate from the court's pursuit of accountability.

The Role of International Justice and Multilateralism

Lamola asserted that the international justice system, including the ICJ and ICC, is the "only hope of the poor countries and developing ones." He warned that its failure would lead to a world where "might will be right." South Africa, along with Colombia, co-founded the "H group" to protect and defend international law and the rule of law.

South Africa's commitment to multilateralism will be further demonstrated by its hosting of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The summit's agenda will focus on asserting the importance of international law, the UN Charter, and multilateral institutions. Key discussion points will include economic justice, reform of the financial architecture, financing for development, and issues affecting the African continent, such as climate change and critical minerals. The goal is to promote industrialization and manufacturing in Africa, powering the African Continental Free Trade Area.

South Africa-US Relations and Trade Challenges

Lamola addressed the strained relations with the United States, particularly concerning former President Donald Trump's remarks and policies. Lamola refuted Trump's characterization of South Africa as a "disgrace," highlighting its thriving democracy, independent judiciary, and free media. He attributed Trump's rhetoric to an "ideological issue" and a "white supremacist agenda," referencing an executive order that allegedly prioritized race and ethnicity for refugee resettlement.

The expiration of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) was discussed as a significant consequence of these strained relations, jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Lamola acknowledged this as a "high price" for standing on principles but emphasized South Africa's aggressive campaign to diversify its export markets to countries across the globe, including within Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. While the US remains an important trading partner, South Africa is preparing for the worst-case scenario and continuing to engage with US counterparts.

G20 Summit Preparations and South-South Cooperation

Despite the US's absence from the G20 summit, South Africa intends to proceed with the meeting, marking the US as absent. Lamola acknowledged the challenges posed by the absence of the world's largest economy but expressed confidence that global cooperation among G20 members can sustain the world's progress.

The current global landscape, Lamola argued, necessitates increased South-South cooperation over reliance on traditional Western allies. South Africa's participation in platforms like BRICS and other multilateral forums aims to elevate the global South to parity with the global North. The G20 theme of "bridging" the global North and South reflects this commitment, addressing critical minerals, artificial intelligence, climate change, and financial architecture reform to ensure equitable benefits for the global South.