TEL AVIV – Israel is reportedly in talks with South Sudan government about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to the African country, Associated Press reported, citing part of a wider effort by Israel to implement an initial plan to expel residents of the enclave devastated by two years of war.
Six people familiar with the matter confirmed to the AP news agency that talks have taken place, although it is unclear how far they have advanced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realize US President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.”
Israel has floated similarly resettlement proposals with other African nations, including Sudan and Somalia.
“I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there,” Netanyahu said Tuesday in an interview with i24, and Israeli TV station as cited by AP. He did not make reference to South Sudan.
Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law.
In return for hosting the Palestinian refugees, South Sudan is seeking to build closer ties to Israel and a potential appeasement of President Trump to lift targeted sanctions on officials in the country.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.
