South Africa has officially withdrawn a 90-day visa exemption previously granted to Palestinian nationals following growing concerns that a series of mysterious charter flights bringing people from the Gaza Strip to South African territory may be connected to broader efforts at forced displacement. The decision has sparked debate among human rights groups, immigration experts, and international observers who fear that vulnerable civilians are being caught in the middle of a complex geopolitical struggle.
The policy shift was announced by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, who said the visa waiver had been “misused and manipulated” in a way that potentially harmed the very people it was intended to help. According to Schreiber, two separate charter flights — one in October and the most recent carrying 153 passengers — were organised by foreign-linked actors and may have been part of a coordinated campaign to move Palestinians out of Gaza under controversial circumstances.
“These arrivals do not appear to be part of any recognised refugee resettlement or humanitarian evacuation programme,” Schreiber said. “There is significant concern that vulnerable individuals are being transported thousands of kilometres away from their homeland, without proper support systems, legal clarity, or long-term protection.”
He suggested that the actions of the organisers amounted to an abuse of South Africa’s immigration system, and potentially also of the passengers themselves. There are fears that the people who arrived may have been promised support, employment, or resettlement pathways that may not exist, leaving them at risk of homelessness, exploitation and statelessness upon arrival.
The sudden and unexplained nature of the flights has raised alarm bells among migration experts. Normally, the relocation of people fleeing conflict involves cooperation between governments, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and international humanitarian organisations. In this case, no such official process appears to have taken place.
Rights groups have described the flights as deeply troubling, warning that Gaza’s residents — already suffering from years of blockade, repeated conflict, and a worsening humanitarian crisis — may now be subjected to what they call “silent mass displacement.”
“This has all the markings of forced migration, which is illegal under international humanitarian law,” said one regional analyst. “Civilians should never be moved without informed consent, safe destination planning, and legal protection. If there is political motivation behind these flights, it could amount to a severe breach of basic human rights.”
The war in Gaza has led to widespread destruction, displacement and loss of life. Over two million people live in the territory, many trapped with limited access to water, food, medical care, and safe shelter. Against this background, any unusual relocation efforts are bound to attract intense scrutiny.
Israeli authorities responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories confirmed that the group of passengers travelling to South Africa had been allowed to leave after a third country agreed to receive them. However, they did not publicly clarify who initiated the request, what the conditions were, or whether the individuals were given alternative choices.
Critics argue that “third country approval” does not equal genuine consent, particularly in a war zone where people may agree to anything to escape danger. They also question why a country as distant as South Africa was selected, instead of nearby or culturally connected nations.
Adding to the controversy, Israeli leaders have welcomed statements by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Gaza should be permanently depopulated — a proposal that has been widely condemned by international rights organisations. According to those groups, any permanent removal of a population from its ancestral land would amount to ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
South African officials, who have previously been among the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, made clear that their decision was not intended to punish ordinary Palestinians, but to prevent South Africa from becoming a tool in what they view as a dangerous political strategy.
“We stand with the Palestinian people and recognise their suffering,” Dr. Schreiber said. “However, South Africa cannot be used as a destination for undocumented, unregulated migration that may contribute to the permanent displacement of an entire people from their homeland.”
The government has now instructed immigration officers to return to standard visa processing for all Palestinian passport holders. This means individuals will be required to apply in advance and meet full entry criteria, including proof of accommodation, financial support, and return arrangements.
Humanitarian organisations inside South Africa are already calling for emergency measures to assist those who have arrived. Some are believed to be families with children, many traumatised by war and displacement.
“We cannot abandon these people once they are here, regardless of how they arrived,” said a spokesperson for a Johannesburg-based refugee support group. “There must be protection, psychological support, and a clear legal pathway forward, or this situation could turn into another human rights catastrophe.”
Meanwhile, South African authorities are reportedly launching a full investigation into who organised and funded the flights, how passengers were selected, and whether international laws were broken in the process.
Source:Africa Publicity
