South Africa has declared it will no longer accept chartered flights transporting Palestinian passengers, days after the controversial, uncoordinated arrival of 153 individuals from Gaza caused political friction.
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Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated on Monday that the flight was part of “a clear agenda to cleanse Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank.”
The arrival of the 153 passengers, many aspects of which remain unclear and disputed, has drawn international scrutiny.
The Israeli authorities have yet to respond to Lamola’s specific allegation, although they insisted that South Africa had previously agreed to receive the group of Palestinians.
The embassy further claimed that “an unregistered and misleading organization” had exploited the plight of the Gaza citizens, “deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner.”
The Palestinian foreign ministry, communicating through the embassy, confirmed it is now working with South Africa to “address this situation resulting from this lapse.”
CULLED FROM BBC
