Israel leads a discussion with South Sudan to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza to the East African nation, and the Associated Press said that six people were familiar with this matter.
Netanyahu is pushing the vision of “voluntary migration”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the plan will move most of the Gaza population in accordance with the vision of US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu described efforts as “voluntary migration”.
However, Palestinians, Groups for Rights and most international communities condemned the proposals as a plan for violent expulsion in violation of international law.
The camps in South Sudan discussed
Joe Szlavik, founder of an American lobby company working with South Sudan, said he was informed about the interviews and confirmed that “the Israeli delegation is planning to visit” to assess the potential places of the camp. He added that Israel would probably finance makeshift camps for Palestinians.
Edmund Yakani, the head of the group of southern Sudanese civil society, said he was also informed about discussions. “South Sudan should not become a landfill for people,” Yakani warned. “And they should not accept people to consider the tokens to improve relationships.”
Egypt is pushing back
Egypt, who borders on Gaza, lobbies southern Sudan against the acceptance of the Palestinians. Two Egyptian officials said they had known for months about Israel’s reach. They fear that any relocation plan can stimulate the influx of refugees in Egyptian territory.
South Sudan’s motifs
South Sudan is also trying to convince Trump’s administration to cancel the ban on travel and eliminate sanctions on some of its elites. The country has previously accepted the individual deported USA, a move that is considered an attempt at a kind of kindness in Washington.
From the ruins of Gaza to another conflict zone
While some Palestinians may want to temporarily leave Gaza to escape war and almost family conditions, most refuse permanent relocation. They are afraid that Israel would never allow them to return and prepare the way for annexation and expansion of the Jewish settlement in Gaza.
Even for those who are willing to leave, South Sudan – was still winding up from the Civil War, which killed almost 400,000 people and left in famine – uncertain prospects. Yakani warned that without clear agreements, “there could be hostility because of historical problems with Muslims and Arabs.”
(With AP inputs)
(Tagstotranslate) Israel – southern Sudanese interviews
