South African authorities said they will investigate the “mysterious” arrival of 153 Palestinians who were held on a charter flight at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport for about 12 hours after border police said they lacked travel documents.
The group landed on a Global Airways charter from Kenya and, according to immigration officials, lacked departure stamps, return tickets and accommodation details. Border authorities initially refused entry after saying none of the passengers had applied for asylum.
A pastor who was permitted to visit the plane while it sat on the tarmac described unbearably hot conditions and children who were crying and distressed. The humanitarian group Gift of the Givers intervened, supplying accommodation and other assistance. After checks, authorities cleared 130 people to enter South Africa under the normal 90-day visa exemption; officials said 23 others had already continued on to other destinations.
It remains unclear where the passengers’ journey began. Travel out of Gaza and the occupied West Bank is difficult, and President Cyril Ramaphosa said the people were from Gaza “who somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here.” He added they were admitted “out of compassion” and that the origins and reasons for their travel would be investigated.
Gift of the Givers said this was the second plane carrying Palestinians to South Africa in two weeks. The charity’s founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, said many passengers only realised they were being sent to South Africa once the flight reached Kenya; some reportedly held visas for countries such as Canada, Australia and Malaysia and were later allowed to proceed to those destinations.
The Palestinian embassy in South Africa accused an unregistered and misleading organisation of exploiting Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, alleging families were deceived, money collected and irregular travel arranged. The pastor who boarded the flight told national broadcaster SABC the conditions on board had been “excruciatingly hot” and that many children were in distress.
The incident has revived debate over South Africa’s position on the Gaza war. South Africa, which has the largest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign and filed a case alleging genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023. Solidarity movements, drawing on the country’s anti-apartheid history, organise boycotts, aid and other support for Palestinians.
The delay while the passengers remained on the tarmac drew criticism from some who said the government was slow to act. Others have expressed concern about the opaque nature of the flights and potential national security implications.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber later said none of the travellers had applied for asylum and that, after officials were satisfied the lack of itinerary elements would not leave people destitute and that there were no asylum claims, they were admitted under the normal 90-day visa exemption subject to standard conditions.