In an unexpected turn of events, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an investigation into the arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza. The group, which touched down at OR Tambo International Airport, faced initial barriers to entry, remaining on the aircraft for over ten hours due to a lack of customary departure stamps in their passports. This situation prompted intervention from a local charity, as well as a response driven by the government’s compassion.
Details of the Arrival and Subsequent Challenges
The circumstances surrounding the group’s travel from Gaza to South Africa remain unclear. Ramaphosa remarked on the “mysterious” nature of their journey, noting that they were placed on a plane that passed through Nairobi before arriving in South Africa. According to the Israeli military body known as Cogat, the residents were able to leave the Gaza Strip after a third country approved their transfer, although it did not disclose which country was involved.
The Palestinian embassy in South Africa reported that the group departed from Israel’s Ramon Airport, traveling through Nairobi without any prior coordination or notice. They described the situation as being manipulated by an unregistered organization that exploited the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, deceiving families and collecting fees for travel under misleading pretenses.
Government Response and Support for the Group
Of the 153 individuals, 23 managed to continue to other destinations, leaving 130 who were granted entry into South Africa. Ramaphosa emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the situation, asserting, “we cannot turn them back” despite the lack of necessary documentation. He acknowledged the plight of these individuals, stating that they come from a “strife-torn, a war-torn country.”
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber explained that although Palestinian passport holders are eligible for a 90-day visa exemption, the absence of departure stamps and return tickets led to the initial rejection of many travelers. Once it was confirmed that the lack of documentation did not indicate a desire to seek asylum, and their accommodations were verified, they were granted entry.
South African charity Gift of the Givers has stepped in to provide accommodation for the group. Local civil societies are calling for investigations into the conditions the Palestinians fled from and the specifics of the plane’s route. One Palestinian, speaking to eNCA TV, expressed relief at being in South Africa, describing it as a land of “peace, laws and justice,” especially after experiencing two years of constant danger in Gaza.
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, criticized the treatment of these travelers, demanding an inquiry into the actions of the home affairs ministry and border authorities, particularly regarding the extended wait on the tarmac and denial of basic provisions such as food.
South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with its criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza being a consistent theme in its foreign policy. The country’s advocacy for Palestine dates back to the 1990s, when Nelson Mandela publicly pledged support for their struggle for independence. Following recent escalations, pro-Palestinian marches have proliferated across South Africa, contrasting with smaller pro-Israel demonstrations, reflecting the nation’s divided sentiments on the issue. In 2023, the South African government even submitted a case against Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel has categorically denied as ‘baseless’.