SA Aviation Allegedly Flooded With Requests for Charter Flights Carrying Palestinians

• Over 150 Palestinians landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Thursday, 13 November 2025
• Reports indicate that operators have been getting requests for these flights since August 2025
• South African intelligence agencies and other government departments are looking into the circumstances of the arrivals

South African aviation operators have reportedly received numerous requests over the past few months for chartered flights bringing Palestinians into the country.

Over 150 Palestinians arrived in SA

Over 150 Palestinians landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Thursday, 13 November, on a chartered flight from Kenya. They were held for several hours due to missing immigration documents, but were later released to the NGO Gift of the Givers.

The arrival stirred debate, with reports noting that a similar flight had quietly entered the country last month, arranged by the same intermediaries, Al-Majd Europe. Aviation operators revealed they have been receiving requests for such flights since August 2025.

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Scheduled to arrive at G20 summit

According to The Citizen, members of the latest group reportedly paid between $1,000 (R17,130) and $1,500 (R25,695) to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip, and were instructed to bring only backpacks. Some of the passengers have since continued their journey, reportedly heading to Australia and Egypt, while the remaining individuals have been granted a 90-day stay in South Africa on tourist visas.

According to Rapport, the flight was initially scheduled to arrive during next week’s G20 Leaders’ Summit, which could have drawn significant international attention. South African authorities are reportedly looking into how the group arrived in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that, despite not following standard immigration procedures, the Palestinians could not be turned away, citing the humanitarian need to assist people fleeing a war-torn region.

Government weigh in

Ramaphosa suggested that the group may have been “flushed out” of Gaza, though he offered no evidence to support this. The issue has stirred speculation since Israel approved a plan encouraging voluntary migration as a possible response to the conflict.

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He said authorities need to trace the origins and reasons for their arrival, and assured that no loopholes would allow overstays beyond the 90 days. Ramaphosa described the situation as a “special case” and did not comment on reports of a similar arrival in October 2025.

Mbalula said the government faced a communication “challenge” regarding the arrivals and raised questions about the possible “depopulation of Palestine.” He called for the group to be granted asylum, noting South Africa’s obligations under the Geneva Convention, and warned that the ANC would take action if this did not happen.

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Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the International Court of Justice on 23 September to rule that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. He spoke during his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

Ramaphosa also called for the release of citizens who were on the Global Sumud Flotilla. It was on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza when they were intercepted on 2 October 2025.

Source: Briefly News