Investigating a Shell Company Exploiting Palestinians
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to desperate attempts by many Palestinians to escape their war-torn homeland. A shell company with ties to Israel has been accused of exploiting these individuals, charging exorbitant fees for covert exits from the territory. This article delves into a recent investigation that uncovered a mystery flight transporting 153 Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa and the dubious organization behind it.
The Mystery Flight to South Africa
On November 13, a flight carrying 153 passengers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, only to face immediate complications. South African border authorities denied entry to these Palestinians due to the absence of departure stamps from Israel in their passports. As a result, the passengers were stranded on the aircraft for 12 hours before being allowed to disembark.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the passengers’ arrival “out of compassion,” but his government launched an investigation, suspecting they had been “flushed out” from Gaza.
Forced Evacuations and Official Statements
Israeli officials have openly proposed what they term “voluntary emigration” for Palestinians, which many view as a forced evacuation. In March 2025, a controversial bureau was established by Israel’s security cabinet to encourage this migration, spearheaded by former Ministry of Defence official Yaakov Blitstein. At the time, the Israeli Defence Minister claimed that a significant portion of Gaza’s population was “interested in emigrating.”
The Role of Al-Majd Europe
In the preceding month, Al-Majd Europe, an unregistered front organization, claimed to be involved in humanitarian efforts aimed at aiding Gazans wishing to leave. They falsely asserted to have organized mobile health clinics and trips for Palestinian doctors abroad. One passenger from the November flight recounted that he discovered Al-Majd through an online link promising not only an escape from Gaza but also safety and medical treatment for injuries. Initially advertised as a free service, the organization later demanded increasing amounts, eventually charging $2,500 per person.
Ticketing Process and Criteria
Testimonies from other evacuees revealed a complex signing-up process, where only families were accepted under the condition of maintaining secrecy about their departure. Passengers were directed to the Karem Abu Salem crossing in southern Gaza, where they had their personal belongings confiscated before being transported to Ramon Airport near Eilat, apparently with Israeli authority’s involvement.
South African social worker Nigel Branken stated that this operation exhibited clear signs of Israeli involvement in displacing people.
Destination Unknown Until Moments Before Boarding
Evacuees reported being informed of their destination just before boarding a flight operated by a newly established airline called FLYYO, which had not provided exit stamps in their travel documents. Al Jazeera’s investigation unveiled that FLYYO had conducted several similar flights from Israeli airports to places like Romania, Indonesia, South Africa, and more.
Questionable Credentials of Al-Majd Europe
Further digging into Al-Majd Europe revealed its claims to be unfounded. Despite stating it was a humanitarian foundation established in 2010 in Germany, no registration could be found under that name in any relevant database. The purported headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, an area in occupied East Jerusalem, turned out to correspond to a hospital and a cafe.
Key Figures Behind the Organization
Al Jazeera identified two individuals associated with Al-Majd. The first, Muayad Hisham Saidam, was designated as the organization’s humanitarian projects manager in Gaza and was linked to a public donation page set up by his wife. He was later identified as a passenger on a charter flight from Israel to Budapest, raising questions about his ties to Al-Majd.
The second figure associated with the organization was a man named Adnan, who lacks a digital presence. Notably, on the day of the Johannesburg flight, a page listing partner companies was deleted from the Al-Majd website, which initially included credible organizations like the International Red Cross.
Is Al-Majd Europe a Front?
Intriguingly, one of the affiliate companies mentioned was Talent Globus, a recruitment firm with dubious credentials and minimal resources. The company’s existence hinged on a mere $350 fund, and its employees appeared to be stock images, suggesting a façade rather than a legitimate operation.
Its director, Tom Lind, was noted in Israeli media as a coordinator for the evacuations. Following his departure from Talent Globus, he shifted focus to advocating for Palestinian humanitarian efforts, claiming to assist with significant evacuations.
Conclusion: The Bigger Picture
While Israel’s public stance may indicate a retreat from promoting “voluntary emigration,” the investigation raises essential questions about Al-Majd Europe’s role in a potential larger plan to gradually depopulate Gaza. It remains uncertain how many more secret flights may occur and what lies ahead for those left behind.
- A shell company exploited desperate Palestinians seeking to flee Gaza.
- Passengers faced complications upon arrival in South Africa due to lack of exit stamps.
- Claims of humanitarian aid linked to Al-Majd Europe were found to be fabricated.
- The investigation suggests potential broader plans regarding the depopulation of Gaza.