In a statement released on Friday, the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) has unequivocally commended the decisive and compassionate actions taken by various South African entities following the recent arrival of Palestinian refugees in Johannesburg.

This development comes after 153 passengers were initially denied entry upon landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport from Nairobi, Kenya.

The CTUB praised the humanitarian efforts displayed, describing the entry as a “shining example of Ubuntu in Action,” despite the immense trauma and logistical complexity surrounding the event.

While praising the South African entities, the CTUB also strongly condemned the “unedicated critics circulating xenophobic rhetoric” who attempted to portray the Palestinians as “illegal immigrants” merely seeking to settle in South Africa.

The organisation asserted that these criticisms are factually inaccurate and morally bankrupt, emphasising that the individuals are genuine refugees escaping a catastrophic scenario involving genocide, coercive displacement, and a wave of homicide.

Equating their escape from aerial bombardment and trauma with economic migration is seen by the CTUB as forgetting the solidarity offered to South Africans during apartheid.

The Board expressed deep disturbance over the initial inhumane conditions faced by the stranded passengers.

According to reports from the humanitarian groups assisting the refugees, the passengers spent 13 hours on-board in inhumane conditions.

The CTUB specifically addressed the authorities responsible for the initial inhumane conditions, pointing out that necessities such as food and water were confined to the aircraft.

The CTUB expressed alarm that foreign authorities deliberately withheld necessary exit documentation, aiming to obstruct the entry of the refugees and exacerbate their suffering in South Africa.

The refugees had travelled on a charter flight from Nairobi, which arrived in Johannesburg at 07:50 on November 13, 2025. Global Airways, the operator, confirmed that 153 passengers were initially deemed inadmissible. Although Global Airways had shared the passenger list and travel credentials with relevant South African authorities 24 hours prior to departure, they were not informed that the passengers would be deemed inadmissible until after they had landed.

The issue stemmed from the lack of exit stamps in their passports, which the Gift of the Givers (GotG) noted was a deliberate action by Israel to “exacerbate their suffering in a foreign country”. The Border Management Authority (BMA) initially acted in keeping with its mandate by not allowing passengers without an exit stamp to disembark.

However, the situation was resolved later on November 13 following intervention. Gift of the Givers thanked Minister Ronald Lamola and DIRCO DG Zane Dangor for receiving the refugees “with open arms,” noting that the Minister of DIRCO took the initiative to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs to waive the exit stamp requirement.

The CTUB praised this decisive government action, particularly saluting Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman (Chairman and Founder of Gift of the Givers) and the Gift of the Givers, whose “pure humanitarian compassion swiftly resolved the initial impasse”.

Global Airways eventually confirmed on November 13 that all passengers were allowed off the plane and were clearing immigration. The majority of the refugees wish to apply for asylum in South Africa, while some seek to continue to other countries.

However, Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, says there is no evidence that any of the 153 Palestinian travellers who arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday intend to apply for asylum in the country.

Schreiber emphasised that entry requirements still applied despite South Africa’s visa exemption for holders of ordinary Palestinian passports, which allows them to visit the country for 90 days.

“All of the travellers have valid passports and, at present, none of them have applied for asylum,” Schreiber added.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it has no knowledge of any Palestinian refugees entering South Africa.

Gift of the Givers, along with other civil society partners, confirmed they would provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance, including accommodation, food, medical support, and legal care.

In addressing the authorities, the CTUB noted that the displacement must not turn into a humanitarian crisis compounded by a bureaucratic nightmare, calling the crisis a “moral outrage”. They called upon the South African government to investigate the initial inhumane conditions further and hold accountable those who subjected the traumatised individuals to further indignity and distress.

IOL

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