Approximately 160 Palestinian refugees arrived at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport this morning on a charter flight from Kenya.
Immigration officials initially denied them entry because many lacked the required departure stamps in their passports, prompting concerns about their legal status.
Thanks to intervention by the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, the passengers were allowed to disembark and receive temporary care.
Gift of the Givers, led by founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, mobilized medical teams, food supplies, and shelter arrangements for the newcomers, who include young children and pregnant women.
The organization is coordinating longer‑term solutions while ensuring the refugees’ immediate needs are met.
This assistance underscores South Africa’s broader policy of providing humanitarian support to Palestinians, a stance that has been demonstrated in recent weeks by the admission of another 130 refugees under similar circumstances.
The incident highlights South Africa’s willingness to bend procedural rules in the interest of humanitarian compassion, reinforcing its vocal advocacy for Palestinian rights on the international stage.
As the situation unfolds, the country continues to balance its immigration protocols with its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations fleeing conflict.
