Over 150 Palestinians Held on Plane in South Africa for 12 Hours

South African authorities faced widespread criticism after holding more than 150 Palestinian passengers, including families and a nine-month pregnant woman, on a charter plane for approximately 12 hours due to travel document complications.

The passengers landed at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning following a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. South Africa’s Border Management Authority stated that the travelers lacked exit stamps from Israeli authorities, had not provided local addresses, and did not specify the length of their intended stay. These issues led immigration authorities to initially deny them entry.

Pastor Nigel Branken, who was permitted to meet the passengers while they remained on the plane, described the conditions as “dire.” He said the cabin was extremely hot, and children were screaming and crying due to the prolonged wait. “It was excruciatingly hot. There were lots of children just sweating and screaming and crying,” he said.

The 153 Palestinians were eventually allowed to disembark Thursday night after South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs intervened. A local non-governmental organization, Gift of the Givers, offered to accommodate the travelers, providing temporary relief and assistance. According to the Border Management Authority, 23 passengers have since continued their journey to other countries, leaving around 130 Palestinians in South Africa.

Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman confirmed that this was the second plane carrying Palestinians to land in South Africa in the past two weeks. Many of the passengers are believed to have come from war-torn Gaza and were reportedly unaware of their final destination. Some now intend to apply for asylum in South Africa, which has historically been a supporter of the Palestinian cause.

The incident has sparked outrage across social media and civil society groups, with critics questioning why the travelers were not allowed to enter the airport to apply for asylum, which is a constitutional right in South Africa. Pastor Branken emphasized that the treatment of the passengers did not reflect the country’s commitment to human rights.

Authorities have yet to clarify who organized the charter flight, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident. The humanitarian situation highlights the challenges faced by displaced populations and underscores the role of NGOs in providing immediate assistance during international travel crises.