By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
South Africa Admits 153 Palestinian Refugees After Initial Entry Delay
South African authorities have granted entry to 153 Palestinian refugees who arrived on Thursday on a chartered flight from Kenya, hours after they were initially denied admission over immigration compliance concerns.
According to the Border Management Authority (BMA), the refugees were held at OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg for more than ten hours after failing to provide key details during routine immigration interviews, including their intended duration of stay and accommodation arrangements. Officials also noted the absence of departure stamps in their passports.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said the issues were later resolved following correspondence from the humanitarian group Gift of the Givers Foundation, which confirmed it would take responsibility for accommodating the arrivals.
Masiapato added that Palestinians are eligible for a 90-day visa exemption in South Africa and were ultimately processed under normal entry procedures.
By the time clearance was granted, 23 of the 153 refugees had already transited through South Africa to other destinations, while the remaining 130 stayed under the care of Gift of the Givers.
The incident sparked public criticism earlier in the day, as pro-Palestinian activists condemned the delay in admitting the group.
South Africa has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights and filed a case at the International Court of Justice in December 2023 accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in its assault on Gaza.
Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said the lack of exit stamps was due to Israel’s refusal to provide them, arguing it was meant to complicate the refugees’ travel.
Many of the arrivals expressed relief after finally being cleared to disembark, with some reuniting with relatives and supporters at the airport.
One young Palestinian student said she planned to continue her journey to Cairo to reunite with her family and pursue further studies.
Thursday’s arrival marks the second group of Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza to land in South Africa, following a previous flight that brought 176 people late last month
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