South Africa Extends Compassion to 150 Undocumented Palestinians Fleeing Gaza Conflict
South Africa has made the compassionate decision to accept 150 undocumented Palestinians who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport, offering them refuge despite their lack of necessary paperwork. President Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed the government's decision, citing empathy and humanitarianism as the driving forces behind the move.
"These are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country, and out of compassion and empathy, we must receive them," Ramaphosa stated, addressing Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. He emphasised that returning the Palestinians to war-torn Gaza was not an option. "We cannot turn them back, even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers."
The unusual arrival of the 153 Palestinian travellers via a charter flight from Kenya initially raised concerns. Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato reported that the travellers failed to provide details of their stay duration or accommodation and lacked departure stamps. Initially, the BMA denied them entry as none had applied for asylum.
However, after verifying the travellers' details, the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers stepped in to offer accommodation. This intervention led officials to admit the travellers into the country.
Ramaphosa, speaking during a clean-up campaign in Kliptown, Johannesburg, alongside Mayor Dada Morero and several CEOs, assured the public that the BMA remains fully involved and in control of the situation, ensuring there are no loopholes. He added that the Departments of Home Affairs and International Relations and Cooperation are also participating in the evaluation and decision-making process.
"This one we did because it was different and a special case of people who are supported as a country. People who have been put under a great deal of suffering and stress," the President explained.
Of the 153 travellers who arrived, 23 have already moved on to their intended destinations. The remaining 130 are currently under the care of Gift of the Givers in South Africa, with all required to adhere to normal entry conditions.
The President also announced that the government will investigate the origins of the charter flight and the reasons why the Palestinians were brought to South Africa. "Ordinarily, we would have said they should go back because they didn’t have any documentation, but out of empathy, out of compassion, and because they are a people that we as South Africa have raised our hands to support, we felt that we should accept them and process them," Ramaphosa added.
The government has pledged to update the nation once the processing of the Palestinians is complete.
The Embassy of the State of Palestine in South Africa has lauded South Africa’s "sovereign and human decision," stating that the issuance of 90-day visas demonstrates South Africa’s principled support for the Palestinian people.
However, the embassy also stressed that the travellers were misled by an "unregistered and misleading organisation" that exploited Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. This organisation allegedly collected money from desperate families and arranged the trip "irregularly and irresponsibly," subsequently abandoning the travellers when problems arose. The embassy urged Palestinians in Gaza to avoid unofficial intermediaries and to seek assistance only from the Embassy or recognised Palestinian institutions.
Gift of the Givers has confirmed its involvement in providing humanitarian assistance, partnering with other NGOs to support the Palestinian refugees. "We thank the South African government for coming to the assistance of the Palestinian people yet again. Gift of the Givers, with other civil society partners, will provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees," the organisation stated.
The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, has left Palestinians in a precarious situation. The war has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 60,000 people in Gaza, underscoring the urgency and importance of South Africa's humanitarian gesture.
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