Over 150 Palestinians Allowed Into South Africa After Airport Ordeal Amid Trafficking Concerns

South Africa has granted a 90-day visa exemption to 153 Palestinians who arrived from Kenya after being initially denied entry due to missing travel documents and the absence of required departure stamps.

The group had travelled from Israel’s Ramon Airport through Nairobi before landing in South Africa.

The Palestinian foreign ministry on Friday thanked South Africa for accepting the group despite the lack of prior coordination, calling the decision a humane response to the suffering of Gaza residents.

At the same time, it warned that trafficking networks and deceptive companies exploiting Palestinians’ desperation are endangering lives and will face legal consequences.

Palestinian authorities said their embassy in South Africa is working with local officials to manage the situation and ensure the dignity and safety of the affected travellers. They also urged families in Gaza to be vigilant and avoid unregistered or unofficial entities that may be involved in human trafficking.

South Africa, a strong supporter of Palestinian rights, has an ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The war in Gaza has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians and injured over 170,000 since October 2023.