South African Officials Criticized After 150 Palestinians Left Stranded on Aircraft

South African authorities are facing significant scrutiny following the detention of over 150 Palestinians at O.R. Tambo International Airport. This incident occurred after the passengers arrived on a chartered flight from Gaza, with a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. Upon their arrival, immigration officials discovered irregularities in their travel documents, including the absence of exit stamps from Israeli authorities and unclear accommodation details. These issues led to an initial denial of entry, resulting in a prolonged detention of approximately 12 hours, which drew criticism from humanitarian organizations. A pastor who visited the passengers described their conditions as unbearable, highlighting the distress faced by families, including a nine-month-pregnant woman.

In response to growing criticism, the South African Ministry of Home Affairs intervened, and the NGO Gift of the Givers provided assurances for accommodation. Ultimately, 130 of the 153 passengers were allowed entry under the standard 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian passport holders, while the remaining 23 continued their journey elsewhere.

The situation has triggered an investigation into how the flight was organized and the passengers’ travel from Gaza. The Palestinian embassy in South Africa accused an unregistered organization of exploiting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading families to travel without proper documentation. An Israeli military official identified the group, Al-Majd, which reportedly facilitated transport from Gaza to South Africa via Israel’s Ramon airport.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa commented on the issue, affirming that the passengers would not be turned away and confirming that an investigation is underway to address the irregularities surrounding their travel. This incident highlights the complexities of international humanitarian efforts and the difficulties authorities face with undocumented arrivals.