153 Palestinians stranded at OR Tambo as immigration denies entry

A group of 153 Palestinians found themselves stranded at OR Tambo International Airport on 14 November 2025 after South African immigration officials refused them entry into the country.

The passengers, who had arrived on a flight from Kenya early in the morning, were not allowed to leave the aircraft while officers from the Border Management Authority (BMA) conducted interviews.

Officials reportedly stopped the group because they could not specify where they planned to stay in South Africa or how long their visit would be.

None of them had departure stamps in their passports, and they also did not state any intention to apply for asylum, which led to the immediate denial of entry.

Dr Michael Masiapato, the BMA commissioner, confirmed that humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers reached out to the authority and offered to secure accommodation for the Palestinians while their situation was being resolved.

Following further engagements, the group was later processed under South Africa’s 90-day visa-exempt travel allowance and instructed to comply with all entry conditions.

Global Airways, the airline that transported the group from Kenya, said it had shared the passenger list and all necessary documentation with South African authorities a day before the flight.

Gift of the Givers released a statement expressing gratitude to government officials for allowing the passengers to enter the country on the 90-day exemption.

The organisation’s founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, alleged that Israel deliberately avoided stamping the Palestinians’ passports, saying it was “a deliberate attempt to exacerbate their suffering in a foreign country.”