South Africa Detains Over 150 Palestinians on Plane for 12 Hours Over Travel Document Issues

South Africa Detains Over 150 Palestinians on Plane for 12 Hours Over Travel Document Issues
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South African border authorities came under fire after detaining 153 Palestinian passengers, including a nine-month-pregnant woman, on a charter flight for approximately 12 hours at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Arab News reported.

The delay was reportedly due to irregularities in their travel documentation.

According to South Africa’s Border Management Authority, the Palestinians had arrived from Nairobi, Kenya, but lacked exit stamps from Israeli authorities. They also failed to provide local addresses or clarify how long they intended to stay, prompting immigration officials to initially deny them entry.

The Ministry of Home Affairs later intervened, allowing the passengers to disembark after the NGO Gift of the Givers guaranteed accommodation. Gift of the Givers’ founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, noted this was the second such flight in two weeks, with passengers appearing unsure of their final destination.

A local pastor who visited the plane described dire conditions. “It was incredibly hot,” said Nigel Branken, noting that children were “sweating, screaming, and crying.” He added that many passengers intended to apply for asylum, a right he argued should have been honoured.

Of the 153 people on board, 130 remained in South Africa, while 23 departed to other destinations, according to border officials. Gift of the Givers confirmed its role in assisting the group, but the origin and chartering of the plane remain unclear.