US EditionMore than 150 Palestinians were held on a plane for around 12 hours in South Africa
- On Thursday, 153 Palestinian passengers were allowed to disembark at OR Tambo after a Global Airways charter from Kenya was held on the tarmac for almost 12 hours until accommodation was guaranteed.
- Because none applied for asylum and documents lacked exit stamps, Border Management Authority said BMA immigration officers denied entry after standard interview questions about duration of stay and accommodation.
- After verification and intervention, 130 Palestinians were processed into South Africa under 90-day visa-exempt entry, while 23 Palestinians transferred onward, with Gift of the Givers guaranteeing accommodation.
- The South African public expressed outrage as Gift of the Givers' Imtiaz Sooliman said children and pregnant women were among those affected, alleging Israel did not stamp their passports and thanking officials including Zane Dangor and Ronald Lamola for assistance.
- Last month a first plane carrying 176 Palestinians landed on October 28, and the BMA said it will continue to uphold legal frameworks while Gift of the Givers with civil society partners provide humanitarian assistance.
74 Articles
74 Articles
Palestinian who fled Gaza on plane that landed in SA says Israel helped facilitate transfer
A resident of the Gaza Strip, who is one of 153 Palestinians that landed in South Africa without the correct paperwork this week, says the group did not know where they would end up when they left Israel.
Once again, South Africa has been surprised by the arrival of a group of displaced Gazans, put on a plane in Israel without the proper travel documents…
A plane carrying 153 Palestinians has landed in South Africa. According to Al Jazeera, the trip was made with Israeli interference.
A plane carrying 153 Palestinians has landed in South Africa. According to Al Jazeera, the trip was made with Israeli interference.
South Africa to probe mystery of a plane that arrived with more than 150 Palestinians from Gaza
South Africa's intelligence services are investigating who was behind a chartered plane that landed in Johannesburg with more than 150 Palestinians from war-ravaged Gaza who did not have proper travel documents and were held onboard on the tarmac for around 12 hours as a result, the country's president said Friday. Story by Nicholas Rushworth.
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