The Israeli national airline, El Al has announced that it will scrap direct flights to South Africa after “a significant fall in demand by Israeli travellers” to the country and other destinations.
“From the end of March 2024, El Al will suspend its operations on the Johannesburg-Tel Aviv route,” an El Al statement said.
The final El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Johannesburg is set to depart on 27 March, according to the airline’s website said AFP.
The announcement came hours before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to issue an initial ruling on Pretoria’s case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza.
Israel’s flag carrier flies up to twice weekly nonstop to Johannesburg.
An El Al spokesperson said, “Israelis don’t want to fly to South Africa,” adding, “They are cancelling flights and planes are pretty empty … We understand it’s the situation because it was different before.”
“The fact that the Israelis don’t want to go to South Africa but do want to go to other places helps us decide that we’re pausing that route,” she said.
The company also cited the current security situation.
El Al said that once it had stopped flying to Johannesburg, it would shift the widebody aircraft it uses on the route to expand current destinations to North America and Bangkok and Tokyo in Asia while examining new routes.
Scores of international airlines have suspended Tel Aviv flights since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, while many countries have warned their nationals against travelling to Israel.
The case brought by South Africa in the top UN court has significantly strained relations with Israel, which denies accusations its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide against Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s Political Motives Cloud Judgement On Humanitarian Tragedy In Gaza
Meanwhile, The Irish Member of the European Parliament, Seán Kelly suggested on Friday that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s political motives had clouded his judgment on the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.
In a statement, Kelly called Netanyahu’s recent comments on the future of Gaza “extremely concerning” and accused the Israeli Prime Minister of being “driven by his own personal interest.”
“What is happening today in Gaza is a humanitarian tragedy. It is clear to see that a whole population is being punished for the brutal actions of Hamas – a terrorist group which I utterly denounce,” he said.
“It would appear that the Israeli prime minister has his sights set on destroying Gaza and his recent comments on the future are extremely concerning. The political reality is that prime minister Netanyahu’s popularity has plummeted amid the fallout of the 7 October tragedy.
“Even a majority of Israelis believe Netanyahu’s wartime decision-making is driven by his own personal interest. This war is devastating with thousands of innocent lives every day and it is clear the majority of the world want to see a peaceful end to the conflict as soon as possible.”
Seán Kelly
He urged Netanyahu to “face up to the human cost of the Israeli assault on Gaza and agree a ceasefire as soon as possible,” adding that hostages taken by Hamas must be released immediately and unconditionally, and returned safely.
Also, Kelly said that Hamas is guilty of extremely horrific acts of terrorism and must end their violent campaign and ultimately be dismantled.
However, he added, “Hamas will not be eradicated by the current indiscriminate bombing. Peace and stability cannot be achieved only by military means, especially in this case.”
He called for a ceasefire as well as immediate access for humanitarian aid, saying peace could only come about if both parties were “open to some sort of compromise.”
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