🔗 Share this article

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an inquiry will be conducted into the puzzling landing of a private aircraft transporting 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the nation.

Primary Admission Rejection

The travelers landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were forced to stay in the plane for in excess of 10 hours as they "did not have the usual departure stamps in their passports", airport representatives stated.

A large portion were finally permitted to enter after assistance from a local charity and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] compassion", Ramaphosa remarked.

The particulars of their exit from Gaza and flight to the nation remain unclear.

Political Context

South Africa has maintained strong support for the Palestinian struggle amid the war between Hamas and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the passengers "through unknown means mysteriously were put on a jet that passed by Nairobi" and continued to the nation.

"The travelers left the Gaza Strip after obtaining approval from a another state to accept them," announced an government agency that oversees Gaza's entry-exit locations.

Official Comment

According to the diplomatic mission in South Africa, the travelers left an Israeli airport and flew to the country via the Kenya's main city, "lacking prior note or coordination".

A declaration from the official office stated "an unregistered and deceptive entity [had] exploited the devastating living situation of our nationals in the Gaza Strip, misled individuals, took payments from them, and arranged their journey in an unorthodox and reckless way".

Current Status

Of the 153 travelers, 23 were able to fly on to alternative places, with 130 who were granted entry into the territory, government officials say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in Johannesburg, stated he was informed of the developing crisis by the government representative.

In response, the head of state said "we cannot turn them back", per local media.

"Even though they are without the required identification and papers, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a violence-plagued nation," he remarked.

Official Action

The head of state also stated to reporters the South African government would carry out a "comprehensive review" of the issue and update the citizens on "ongoing events and the manner in which this case came to be in its current state", per national media.

Government Representative Leon Schreiber stated that while travelers from Palestine qualified for 90-day visa-free admission to the country, the lack of departure stamps, homeward journeys or accommodation addresses in certain of the travellers' papers resulted in the first denial to permit their entry to the country.

When it was determined that the non-presence of this details "did not indicate that the individuals intended to request refugee status" and their accommodation was verified, they were granted entry.

"Each of the travellers are in possession of current travel documents and, now, not one of them have applied for refuge," he stated.

Support Response

Local humanitarian organization has announced it will supply the passengers with housing in the nation.

Civil societies in the nation have called for investigations into the situation the individuals had escaped in Gaza and the specific journey of the jet.

An individual of the Palestinians who was interviewed by local media shared his relief to be in the nation, describing it as a country of "peace, rules and equity".

"We came from the Gaza Strip where we've experienced danger on daily basis. We have survived a hostilities of an extended period and we are blessed to be in South Africa," said an individual who had fled with his wife and kids.

Complaints and Calls for Investigation

The humanitarian organization has subsequently demanded Ramaphosa to investigate the home affairs ministry and immigration officials for the "disrespect they've created" the travelers.

The group's founder stated this conduct included being made to stay for hours on the tarmac at the terminal, being refused meals supplied by the group and "using all possible reasons in the guide to prevent these travelers from leaving the plane".

Traditional Advocacy

The nation has been highly critical of Israel's defense actions in Gaza.

The state's solidarity for the Palestinian cause for an sovereign nation dates back a long time, notably the early 1990s when national hero Nelson Mandela committed assistance for the Palestinian cause.

Large supporting Palestine demonstrations have been conducted across the nation since the hostilities commenced.

More limited pro-Israel marches and events have been organized in the nation, which has the biggest Jewish community in the region.

In 2023, the country's leadership filed a lawsuit against Israel with the world court, accusing it of mass killing in Gaza. The nation has firmly denied the allegation, labeling it "without foundation".