Israel–South Sudan talks on Gaza resettlement spark international debate

NAIROBI, August 20, 2025 - Reports have emerged suggesting that Israel explored the possibility of resettling Palestinians displaced by the ongoing Gaza conflict in South Sudan. While both governments officially denied the talks, the news has stirred controversy, drawing condemnation from Palestinian leaders, human rights groups, and international observers.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the idea surfaced during a visit last month by South Sudanese Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba to Israel. The proposal reportedly involved relocating Palestinians to South Sudan a nation already facing internal displacement, fragile governance, and humanitarian challenges. South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed the reports as “baseless” and “not reflective of the official position or policy” of the government (Reuters).

A billboard with an image of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan in the country’s capital, Juba, last year.Credit:Ivor Prickett for The New York Times

Palestinian officials were swift to denounce the idea. Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, warned: “The Palestinian leadership and people reject any plan or idea to displace any of our people to South Sudan or to any other place” (i24News).

Human rights advocates have also raised serious concerns. Joe Szlavik, founder of a U.S. lobbying firm working with South Sudan, noted that such proposals could violate international law, highlighting the ethical and humanitarian complexities of relocating refugees without their consent (Al Jazeera).

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the opening ceremony of the Knesset Museum in Jerusalem on August 11, 2025 [Ohad Zwigenberg/AFP]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the concept as “voluntary migration,” suggesting that allowing population movement could comply with the laws of war. Critics, however, argue that the phrasing masks a plan for forced displacement. The United States has so far refrained from commenting, with a State Department spokesperson noting, “We do not speak to private diplomatic conversations” (i24News).

While the proposal remains officially unconfirmed, the episode highlights the delicate intersection of diplomacy, humanitarian crises, and regional politics. South Sudan, as Africa’s youngest nation, faces complex challenges in balancing sovereignty, internal stability, and international relations. Analysts suggest that even the discussion of such resettlement underscores broader questions about the role of African countries in global refugee solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• South Sudan denies any talks with Israel about resettling Gaza Palestinians.
• Palestinian leaders and human rights groups strongly oppose the idea.
• The proposal raises ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns.
• Global observers continue to watch the evolving situation closely.

As tensions persist in Gaza, the story serves as a reminder of the complexities of international diplomacy, refugee protection, and the moral responsibilities of states navigating crises far beyond their borders.