South Africa Holds 153 Palestinian Passengers on Plane for 12 Hours

Post by : Raina Nasser

South African officials encountered severe backlash for detaining over 150 Palestinian travelers, including families and a nine-month pregnant woman, on a charter flight for nearly 12 hours due to issues with travel documents.

The group landed at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Thursday after a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. The Border Management Authority of South Africa indicated that the travelers were missing necessary exit stamps from Israeli authorities, failed to provide local addresses, and did not clarify the duration of their stay. These factors triggered immigration officials to initially refuse them entry.

Pastor Nigel Branken, who was allowed to visit the passengers while they remained aboard, described the situation as “dire.” He reported that the cabin was excessively hot, causing children to scream and cry during the prolonged hold. “It was excruciatingly hot. There were lots of children just sweating and screaming and crying,” he remarked.

Ultimately, the 153 Palestinians were permitted to disembark on Thursday night after intervention from South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The local NGO, Gift of the Givers, stepped in to provide shelter and assistance. According to the Border Management Authority, 23 passengers have since left for other destinations, leaving around 130 Palestinians in South Africa.

Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of Gift of the Givers, noted that this incident marked the second arrival of a plane carrying Palestinians in South Africa within two weeks. Many of the passengers reportedly hailed from conflict-ridden Gaza and were unaware of their final destination. Some now plan to seek asylum in South Africa, a nation recognized for its support of the Palestinian cause.

The situation has ignited outrage across social media and among civil society organizations, with many questioning why the travelers weren't allowed entry to the airport to pursue asylum applications, a constitutional right in South Africa. Pastor Branken stated that the treatment meted out to the passengers did not mirror the nation's dedication to human rights.

Authorities have yet to provide clarity on who arranged the charter flight, compounding the uncertainty of the situation. This humanitarian crisis underscores the difficulties faced by displaced individuals and highlights the essential role of NGOs in offering swift assistance during international travel emergencies.