Controversial Evacuations: The Role of Al-Majd Europe in Transporting Gazans to South Africa

In November 2025, a group of over 150 Palestinians from Gaza was transported to South Africa under controversial circumstances. The passengers were held on a plane for nearly 12 hours at Johannesburg's airport due to a lack of exit stamps from Israel, raising questions about the legitimacy of their evacuation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as if the individuals were "being flushed out" of Gaza, prompting an investigation by the country’s intelligence services.

France 24

The evacuation was facilitated by Al-Majd Europe, an organization accused of coordinating with Israeli authorities. Founded in 2010 in Germany, Al-Majd Europe has faced scrutiny regarding its operations and legitimacy. Its website, which was registered only in February 2025, lacks verifiable contact information and has been linked to online fraud. Reports indicate that individuals were charged between $1,400 and $2,000 for their passage, with payments directed to personal accounts rather than organizational ones.

The Palestinian families, including a pregnant woman, boarded the flight without prior knowledge of their destination. They were transported from Rafah in southern Gaza to Israel's Ramon Airport, where they were not issued exit stamps. An anonymous source indicated that the evacuation process involved security screenings by Israeli authorities, suggesting prior coordination for the bus transfers from Gaza.

Critics have raised alarms about the nature of these evacuations. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the South African charity Gift of the Givers, labeled Al-Majd as one of "Israel’s front organisations." The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa condemned the flight, stating it was arranged by an "unregistered and misleading organization" that exploited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the potential for ethnic cleansing and the manipulation of vulnerable populations.

The South African government has faced backlash for its handling of the situation. Initially, officials claimed ignorance regarding the flight's arrangements, but later statements suggested that South Africa had authorized the arrival of the Gazans. The Israeli military stated that it bases its decisions on requests from foreign countries, asserting that over 40,000 Gaza residents have been evacuated since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023.

France 24Al Jazeera (website)

Discrepancies exist regarding the nature of the evacuations. While some sources suggest that the flights are part of a systematic effort to depopulate Gaza, others indicate that they are legitimate humanitarian efforts. The lack of exit stamps for the passengers complicates their legal status in South Africa, raising questions about their ability to return to Gaza.

France 24

• “These are people from Gaza who somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here,” — Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa

• “The … applicant must [have a young] family. [Then] the names are sent for security screening. Once that’s completed, and if the family is approved, they’re asked to pay,” — Anonymous source

• “The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa said in a statement that the flight was arranged by “an unregistered and misleading organization that exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner”.” — Palestinian Embassy in South Africa

The situation surrounding Al-Majd Europe and the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa remains complex and contentious, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and geopolitical tensions in the region.