South African authorities have faced criticism for detaining over 150 Palestinian passengers, including a nine-month pregnant woman, on a plane for 12 hours due to issues with their travel documents. The passengers, who arrived at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on a charter plane from Nairobi, Kenya, were denied entry into the country.
The Palestinian passengers did not have exit stamps from Israeli authorities and lacked information on their intended stay duration and local addresses, according to the South African Border Management Authority. A pastor, Nigel Branken, who met with the passengers, described the conditions on the plane as “appalling” and “unbearable,” with babies and children suffering in the heat.
The 153 passengers, including families and children, were eventually allowed to leave the plane on Thursday night after the Ministry of Home Affairs intervened, and a local non-governmental organization, Gift of the Givers, offered to accommodate them. Since then, 23 passengers have traveled to other countries, while 130 remain in South Africa.
The passengers are believed to be from war-torn Gaza, and it is unclear how the charter plane was organized and why the passengers were able to leave Israel without proper documentation. Many of the passengers now intend to claim asylum in South Africa, which has long been a supporter of the Palestinian cause.
The treatment of the travelers has sparked widespread anger, with many criticizing the authorities’ handling of the situation. The incident has raised concerns about the plight of Palestinian refugees and the challenges they face in seeking safety and protection. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the South African government will respond to the influx of asylum seekers and address the concerns of the international community.