South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that authorities will investigate the recent arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza. These individuals were initially denied entry at OR Tambo International Airport as they had no departure stamps in their passports, leading to over 10 hours of being stuck on the aircraft.
Eventually, through the intervention of local charity groups and the government's stand on humanitarian grounds, most of the passengers were allowed entry into South Africa.
The specifics surrounding their departure from Gaza and the itinerary that brought them to South Africa are still unclear. President Ramaphosa noted that the group was on a flight that ‘somehow mysteriously’ went via Nairobi.
Israeli military body Cogat indicated that departure approval had been granted by a third country, while the Palestinian embassy in South Africa stated that the group left without prior coordination or notice. This led to claims that an unregistered organization may have exploited the desperate conditions in Gaza.
As of now, 23 of those passengers have moved on to other destinations, leaving 130 who have been granted entry. Ramaphosa emphasized the need to provide empathy and aid to individuals fleeing conflict, remarking that 'even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn country.'
The South African government is also expected to provide assistance to those admitted, with the charity Gift of the Givers stepping in to offer accommodation. Civil rights groups are demanding inquiries into the broader implications of the Palestinians' travel circumstances and the response by South African immigration officers.
As the political climate remains tense, with South Africa's historical support for Palestine, the current situation has sparked renewed dialogues concerning humanitarian rights and immigration policies amidst international conflict.
