In a statement issued late Wednesday, the ministry described the claims circulating in sections of the media as “baseless” and said they do not reflect the official position or policy of the government.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan firmly refutes recent media reports claiming that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is engaged in discussion with the State of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian nationals from Gaza in South Sudan,” the statement read.
“These claims are baseless and do not reflect the official position or policy of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan,” it added.
The denial comes after the Associated Press, citing multiple sources, reported Wednesday that Jerusalem was exploring the possibility of relocating some Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip to South Sudan as part of a wider plan to facilitate the mass emigration of residents from the enclave.
The initial reports had raised questions among legal experts and humanitarian actors about potential implications under international humanitarian law, particularly the rights of refugees and stateless persons, as well as the capacity of South Sudan – itself grappling with conflict-driven displacement – to host people fleeing hostilities in the Middle East.
The government’s rejection of the reports appears aimed at quelling speculation and avoiding diplomatic tensions, particularly given South Sudan’s recent history of accepting foreign nationals on humanitarian grounds, including eight individuals convicted of crimes from the United States.
It remains unclear what prompted the initial claims, but officials in Juba say the matter is not on the country’s foreign policy agenda.
