Overview
- International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa does not want additional arrivals and confirmed an investigation into the charter that brought more than 150 Palestinians to Johannesburg.
- Security agencies placed the country on high alert following intelligence of possible further flights, with officials scrutinizing operator permits ahead of the G20 summit.
- COGAT said departures were cleared after a third country agreed to receive the passengers, who traveled via Kerem Shalom to Israel’s Ramon Airport and arrived without exit stamps, prompting a roughly 12‑hour hold before an NGO provided accommodation.
- Passengers reported paying roughly $1,000–$6,000 to Al‑Majd Europe, a little‑documented intermediary that the Palestinian embassy in Pretoria labeled unregistered and exploitative.
- Authorities confirmed none of the travelers has applied for asylum, a previous charter arrived in late October, and NGOs led by Gift of the Givers are providing humanitarian support during their 90‑day visa‑exempt stay.