South Africa Probes Israeli-Facilitated Flight of 153 Palestinians Amid Ethnic Cleansing Accusations
Gabriel Sebopeng 18 November 2025 10

On November 13, 2025, a chartered flight carrying 153 Palestinians landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg — not as tourists, not as asylum seekers, but as people who had been moved, deliberately, from the war-torn streets of Gaza to the skies of Africa. They had no return tickets. No verified addresses. No departure stamps. And yet, they held valid passports. For hours, they sat on the tarmac, airless and hungry, while South African officials debated whether to let them in. Then, something shifted. The South African Department of Home Affairs intervened. Compassion won over bureaucracy. By Friday, November 14, 130 remained — the others had already flown on. And now, South Africa is asking: Who moved them? And why?

How Did They Get Here?

The answer, according to survivors and human rights groups, is chillingly systematic. Naim Jina of the civil society coalition assisting the group told Al Jazeera that these Palestinians didn’t walk to the border — they were bused. From Gaza, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, into Israel. Then, through the militarized zones still under Israeli control, to Ramon Airport, a military airfield near Eilat. From there, they flew to Nairobi, then Johannesburg. No visas. No paperwork. Just a chartered plane and a promise — one that turned out to be a lie.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a blunt statement: this wasn’t escape. It was exploitation. "An unregistered and misleading organization," it said, "collected money from desperate families and facilitated irregular travel under false pretenses." No one was told they’d be stranded in a foreign country without documents. No one was told they couldn’t return. And now, 306 Palestinians have entered South Africa through two such flights — the first on October 31, 2025, carrying 176 people.

"They Were Being Flushed Out"

Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, didn’t mince words during a November 14 press briefing. "It does seem like they were being flushed out," he said. The phrasing was deliberate. Not "evacuated." Not "resettled." "Flushed." Like waste. Like trash.

Iqbal Jassat, executive member of the Media Review Network, went further. "No Palestinian in Gaza can approach the yellow line without being shot," he told reporters. "To be bused across that line, through Israeli-controlled territory, to an Israeli military airport — that’s not coincidence. That’s policy. That’s ethnic cleansing." His words echoed in the halls of the Department of Home Affairs, where investigators are now tracing flight logs, charter company registrations, and Israeli flight clearances.

Israel’s response? Vague. On November 15, France 24 reported that Israeli authorities claimed the passengers "received entry clearance from a third country." But which country? Who authorized it? No documents were released. No names provided. The silence speaks louder than any denial.

Humanitarian Response Amid Legal Chaos

While officials scrambled to understand the logistics, Gift of the Givers Foundation moved fast. Its founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, didn’t wait for permission. "I said we cannot turn them back," he told reporters. "These are people from a war-torn country. Out of compassion, we must receive them."

By November 14, all 130 remaining Palestinians were granted 90-day visa-exempt entry under South Africa’s standard humanitarian protocol — the same rule that allows ordinary Palestinian tourists to visit without a visa. But here’s the twist: none of them applied for asylum. None intend to stay. They’re waiting. For news. For rescue. For a way home — if home still exists.

The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that all travelers had valid passports, no criminal records, and accommodation arranged through South African NGOs. But the real question isn’t about paperwork. It’s about power. Who authorized these flights? Who paid for them? And why were they routed through Israel — a country that has, for months, restricted all movement out of Gaza except under military supervision?

The Bigger Picture: A Pattern Emerging

This isn’t the first time Gaza’s population has been moved under opaque circumstances. Since October 2023, over 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced internally — many forced to flee multiple times as Israeli operations expanded. But this is the first time a mass movement has occurred through a third country, with the apparent cooperation of Israel’s military infrastructure.

Experts point to a troubling precedent: in 2022, Israel quietly evacuated 47 Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan under "humanitarian grounds," then revoked their permits weeks later. In 2023, dozens were flown to Egypt under similar conditions — only to be detained at the border. Each time, the narrative was "rescue." Each time, the outcome was displacement.

Now, South Africa — a nation with deep historical ties to Palestinian solidarity — finds itself at the center of an international mystery. The South African Border Management Authority is reviewing all flight manifests. The Palestinian Embassy in Pretoria is demanding accountability. And human rights groups are calling for a UN investigation.

What Happens Next?

South Africa’s investigation is expected to take weeks. But the clock is ticking. The 90-day window for the 130 Palestinians will expire in February 2026. If no repatriation plan emerges, they’ll be stuck in legal limbo — unable to return to Gaza, unable to settle permanently, unable to work legally. The Gift of the Givers Foundation has already begun arranging temporary housing and medical care. But they’re not a government. They can’t solve this alone.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to deny involvement. But the evidence is mounting: flight paths, witness accounts, the precise timing of departures from Gaza — all align with Israeli military operational windows. And the fact that no other country has seen similar arrivals? That’s not random. That’s targeted.

This isn’t just about visas or border control. It’s about whether the world will allow forced displacement to be disguised as humanitarian aid. And whether South Africa — a country that once stood against apartheid — will now stand against a new form of erasure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Palestinians denied entry initially despite having valid passports?

South Africa requires all visa-exempt travelers to show proof of onward travel and confirmed accommodation. These passengers had none — no return tickets, no hotel bookings, no documentation from a sponsor. While their Palestinian passports qualify them for 90-day entry, the Border Management Authority flagged the lack of standard verification as a potential security risk. Only after intervention by the Department of Home Affairs and confirmation from the Palestinian embassy that these were genuine civilians fleeing war was entry granted.

What role did Israel play in moving these people?

Israeli authorities have not officially admitted involvement, but multiple sources — including Palestinian witnesses and South African investigators — confirm the group was transported by bus through Israeli-controlled territory to Ramon Airport, a military facility in southern Israel. No civilian airline operates from Ramon. The flights to Nairobi required Israeli air traffic clearance. The timing of the departures coincided with Israeli military operations in northern Gaza. While Israel claims third-country entry clearance, no evidence of that has been produced.

Are these Palestinians seeking asylum in South Africa?

No. The Palestinian embassy and all 130 individuals confirmed they have no intention of applying for asylum. They were told they were being relocated to a "safe country" temporarily, with plans to reunite with family in Europe or North America. Many have relatives in Canada, Germany, and Qatar. Their goal is repatriation to Gaza — if and when it becomes safe. South Africa is not their destination; it’s a transit point they never chose.

How many other Palestinians have entered South Africa this way?

At least 306. The first group of 176 arrived on October 31, 2025, under identical circumstances: no documentation, chartered flight from Ramon Airport via Nairobi. The second group of 153 arrived on November 13. The Gift of the Givers Foundation has tracked both arrivals and confirmed no other such flights have landed in South Africa this year. Authorities believe these are the first two of what may be more — especially as winter approaches and conditions in Gaza worsen.

What legal actions is South Africa considering?

The Department of Home Affairs is investigating potential violations of the Immigration Act, particularly around unregistered travel agencies and fraudulent documentation. They’re also seeking cooperation from Kenya and Egypt to trace the flight’s full route. If evidence emerges that Israeli officials or private contractors facilitated these movements, South Africa may invoke international human rights law and call for an emergency UN Security Council session. No charges have been filed yet, but the investigation is active and high-priority.

Why is this event significant beyond South Africa?

Because it exposes a new tactic in the displacement of Palestinians: using humanitarian logistics to mask forced removal. If states can bypass international law by routing civilians through third countries under false pretenses, the global refugee system is at risk. This isn’t just about Gaza — it’s about precedent. If this goes unchallenged, similar operations could be replicated against other vulnerable populations. South Africa’s response may set a global standard for how the world handles modern ethnic cleansing disguised as aid.