Chicago – November 14, 2025
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an official investigation into the unexpected arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The passengers were initially kept on board for about 12 hours due to missing exit stamps in their passports, which delayed their clearance. The stamps were reportedly withheld by Israeli authorities, preventing the travelers from disembarking as they lacked the customary authorization.
The plane, operated by South African airline Global Airways and arriving from Kenya, carried Palestinians fleeing dire conditions in Gaza. Many sought asylum in South Africa, which recently allowed entry to 130 of them, while others awaited onward travel. Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers intervened to provide accommodation and assistance, ensuring their welfare upon arrival.
Concerns have been raised over the secrecy surrounding the flight’s origin and how such a large group was transported without full documentation. Civil society groups in South Africa are calling for transparency regarding the refugees’ journey and the circumstances of their entry. President Ramaphosa emphasized the need to fully investigate the situation to uphold immigration protocol and humanitarian obligations.
