Over 150 individuals, including children and a nine-month-pregnant woman, were left on the tarmac at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport for hours on Thursday.
The group arrived on a chartered Global Airways flight from Nairobi, Kenya, at approximately 07:50. The Border Management Authority (BMA) declared all passengers inadmissible upon arrival. This was due to the passengers not having exit stamps in their travel documents.
SMread: Palestinian refugees arrive In SA amid deep uncertainty
A humanitarian crisis unfolds
Activists and aid workers on the scene described dire conditions on the aircraft. Pastor Nigel Branken, who was on board, said the plane was like an “incubator” due to the heat. He noted there was no air conditioning and limited access to toilet facilities.
Branken witnessed children with wet hair from the heat and one child who had fainted. He criticised the situation, stating, “This is not what South Africa was supposed to be.” The group of Palestinian refugees faced a long and uncertain day.
Zaheerah Bham Ismail, an activist, told Salaamedia the focus was to ensure humanitarian assistance reached the refugees.
“Right now, we need to make sure there’s a humanitarian corridor to be able to ensure that these people are treated with dignity. They’ve literally come out of a genocide. There has to be some form of dignity,” she said.
Global Airways, the charter company, confirmed it had shared the passenger list with South African authorities 24 hours before departure. The airline stated it was not informed of any issues until after landing. It is now cooperating with the BMA on the passengers’ onward travel.
Civil society organisations are prepared to provide humanitarian, legal, and medical assistance once they are permitted to enter the country.
Image: Family, friends, and fellow Palestinians are preparing food, water, and diapers to be delivered to the approximately 160 passengers stranded on the flight, who have been stuck for hours on the tarmac due to processing and documentation issues.
