A plane intended to take South African humanitarian aid to Palestinians was still grounded in Johannesburg late on Wednesday, an aid official said, calling Israeli objections political rather than technical.
Imtiaz Sooliman, national coordinator for the charitable organisation Gift of the Givers, said: ”We had an excited call from our clearing agent in Israel on Wednesday saying the political pressure being applied on the government was paying off”.
”They said the flight could take off within two or three days,” said Sooliman, who arrived home from Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning.
”We think the flight might be allowed in at the same time as the curfew in the occupied territories is relaxed on Saturday,” he added, in reference to Israeli plans to lighten a curfew imposed in the West Bank after it reoccupied several West Bank cities.
The $500 000 worth of aid, which includes food and medical equipment, was meant to have accompanied South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad on a visit to the Middle East last week, where he met with Palestinian and Israeli officials.
The charter was delayed purportedly because of technical reasons, including under-insurance of the aged Iluyshin plane and noise levels.
”Whatever the Israeli authorities say, the delay is a political issue not a technical one,” Sooliman insisted.
”We have complied with every one of the Israeli requirements, even though this meant spending an extra $85 000. It will cost us $20 000 more to land the plan in Ovda because the Israelis say it is too noisy to land at Tel Aviv. It will cost us $65 000 more to extend the insurance coverage to the $65-million demanded by the Israelis.
”We have also repacked the cargo to meet their requirements about dangerous goods — which it clearly is not.
”We even re-filed the papers replacing the word ‘Palestine’ as the destination because the Israelis insist that no such place exists.
”They could have told us all this weeks ago, but instead chose to be obstructive to make a political point.
”They have not acted in good faith.” – Sapa