South Africa Ends Palestinian Visa Exemption Over Abuse

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian ordinary passport holders, citing investigations that revealed its deliberate abuse by external actors linked to efforts to relocate residents from the Gaza Strip.

The decision, announced on Sunday, follows the arrival of two charter flights carrying Palestinians from Gaza to Johannesburg in recent months. The most recent incident occurred on November 13, when a South African-chartered aircraft landed at OR Tambo International Airport with 153 passengers, including men, women and children. The plane originated in Gaza, transited through Nairobi, and was organized by intermediaries rather than the travelers themselves. Upon arrival, immigration officials detained the group on the tarmac for more than 12 hours due to irregularities, including the absence of Israeli exit stamps on their passports, one-way tickets, lack of return or onward travel plans, and restrictions on luggage, with passengers allowed only U.S. dollars and essential items.

Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber initially ordered the flight grounded to verify the passengers' status and the flight's organization,...