South Africa Launches Probe into Mysterious Arrival of 153 Palestinians at Johannesburg Airport

South Africa Launches Investigation into Mysterious Arrival of Palestinian Group

South Africa's authorities are currently investigating the bewildering arrival of 153 Palestinians who landed at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport on a charter flight without proper travel documentation. The incident, which saw passengers endure a 12-hour detainment on the runway, has sparked a national debate and raised questions about border security and humanitarian protocols.

Unusual Circumstances and Initial Denial of Entry

The group, comprised of men, women, and children, arrived on a Global Airways flight from Kenya. Border police initially denied them entry due to the absence of crucial travel papers, including departure stamps, return tickets, and confirmed accommodation details. Compounding the situation, none of the individuals had applied for asylum in South Africa. A pastor who managed to access the aircraft described the conditions as "excruciatingly hot," with children visibly distressed and crying during the prolonged wait.

Humanitarian Intervention Leads to Visa Exemption

Following intervention from the local humanitarian organization, the Gift of the Givers Foundation, the situation saw a compassionate resolution. The foundation offered accommodation and support, leading to 130 members of the group being granted entry under a standard 90-day visa exemption. The remaining 23 had already departed for other international destinations, some reportedly holding visas for countries like Canada, Australia, and Malaysia, indicating diverse onward journeys.

President Ramaphosa Vows Full Investigation

President Cyril Ramaphosa himself addressed the "mysterious" circumstances, confirming that the group, largely originating from Gaza, was admitted "out of compassion." He emphasized the government's commitment to thoroughly investigate the journey's origins and the reasons behind their routing to South Africa. The Palestinian embassy in South Africa issued a statement condemning the incident, attributing it to an "unregistered and misleading organization" that exploited vulnerable Gazan families, collected money, and arranged their travel "irregularly and irresponsibly."

Broader Implications and National Debate

Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, revealed that this was actually the second such flight carrying Palestinians to land in South Africa within two weeks. He noted that many passengers were reportedly unaware of their final destination until arriving in Kenya.

The episode has reignited discussions within South Africa regarding its foreign policy, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. South Africa has historically been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, notably filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023. While civil society groups actively campaign in solidarity with Palestinians, the lack of transparency surrounding these arrivals has raised concerns among some citizens about national security and the government's responsiveness. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber later reiterated that no asylum claims were made, and entry was granted once it was established that the travellers would not be left destitute. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full scope of this unusual and complex situation.