South Africa allowed 130 Palestinians to enter the country despite their lack of travel documents, after first refusing them entry. Authorities said they would investigate claims that an unregistered organisation arranged the group’s travel “improperly and irresponsibly.” The country, which has long backed Palestinian statehood and brought a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023, said border officials were surprised when 153 Palestinians landed in Johannesburg on a chartered flight from Kenya on Nov 13. They arrived without exit stamps, return tickets, or accommodation plans. None had requested asylum, and their original point of departure remained unclear. Travel from Gaza and the West Bank is highly restricted.

Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers stepped in to provide housing and assistance. Authorities eventually admitted 130 passengers under the standard 90-day visa waiver, while 23 continued to other destinations. According to the group’s founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, many passengers were unaware they were being taken to South Africa until they reached Kenya. Some had visas for countries like Canada, Australia, and Malaysia, and were later allowed to travel onward. Sooliman explained that the rest could apply for asylum, obtain temporary or visitor visas, pursue student visas, or move to another country willing to accept them.

The interior ministry said the Palestinian embassy reported that the travellers had been misled and charged fees by an unnamed, unregistered organisation that later denied responsibility when problems occurred. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government now needed to determine the origin and purpose of the group’s journey. However, he noted that South Africa accepted them “out of compassion” and due to its longstanding support for the Palestinian people. Intelligence services and several government departments are currently reviewing the case, and Ramaphosa said a full assessment will determine what comes next.