Private Jet Used for Deportation of Palestinians Raises Concerns

On January 21, 2026, eight Palestinian men were deported from the United States to the West Bank aboard a private jet owned by Gil Dezer, a Florida property tycoon and close associate of former President Donald Trump. The men, who were shackled during the flight, were dropped off at a checkpoint in the West Bank, disoriented and without prior contact with their families. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the methods and implications of U.S. deportation practices.

The Gulfstream jet, described by Dezer as “my little rocket ship,” was chartered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through Journey Aviation, a Florida-based company. The flight made three refueling stops in New Jersey, Ireland, and Bulgaria before arriving in Tel Aviv. A second flight occurred on February 1, 2026, with similar circumstances. The deportees included Maher Awad, who had lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade and expressed his distress over being separated from his newborn son and partner in Michigan.

Upon arrival in Israel, the deportees were met by Israeli security personnel and taken to a checkpoint near the village of Ni’lin. Eyewitness Mohammad Kanaan described the shock of seeing the men, who had been considered missing by their families. The deportees were provided temporary shelter and food, highlighting the immediate humanitarian concerns following their abrupt removal from the U.S.

The cost of the deportation flights is estimated to be between $400,000 and $500,000, with ICE previously indicating that chartered flight costs can range from nearly $7,000 to over $26,000 per flight hour. This financial aspect raises questions about the allocation of resources within ICE and the broader implications of such deportation practices.

Human Rights First (HRF) has criticized the use of private jets for deportations, labeling it part of an “opaque system” that lacks accountability and disregards due process. Savi Arvey, HRF’s director of research and analysis, emphasized the negative impact on families and the lack of transparency in the deportation process.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that if a judge determines an individual has no right to remain in the country, they will be removed. However, both the DHS and the U.S. Department of State declined to provide specific comments regarding the recent deportation flights. Israeli authorities also refrained from commenting on their involvement in the operation.

• “America was heaven for me.” — Maher Awad, deportee

• “They dropped us off like animals on the side of the road,” — Maher Awad, deportee

• “I want my family back together.” — Sandra McMyler, Awad's partner

The deportation of Palestinian men aboard a private jet owned by a Trump associate has sparked significant scrutiny regarding the methods and ethics of U.S. immigration enforcement. As families are torn apart and individuals face uncertain futures, the implications of such actions continue to resonate within both the U.S. and international communities.