The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has warned that the recent transfer of 153 Palestinian refugees to South Africa is “extremely serious” and may amount to coercion, Anadolu reports.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Left group in the European Parliament, Albanese raised concerns over Israel’s involvement, noting that the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly promoted the idea of “voluntary migration.” Albanese emphasized that the migration of Palestinians is far from voluntary.
“Palestinians are coerced. Whatever they do today, including boarding a plane to another country, is under duress,” she said.
The UN official highlighted that many refugees did not know their destination and only had their passports with them. South Africa granted a 90-day visa exemption to the 153 Palestinians, who initially faced entry denial due to missing travel documents and passport stamps.
Reports indicate that an Israeli-Estonian operated association charges Palestinians in Gaza approximately $2,000 for seats on chartered flights to countries like South Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola described the flight to Johannesburg as a “clearly orchestrated operation” aimed at displacing Palestinians.
Albanese warned that without enforcement of international law, such relocations could facilitate Israel’s efforts to continue ethnic cleansing in Gaza through indirect means. She stressed that the international community must act to protect Palestinian rights and ensure migration is voluntary.
