In a dramatic turn of events, South African authorities found themselves at the center of a humanitarian showdown as they initially barred, but ultimately allowed entry to 130 Palestinian travelers who arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport! This decision, shrouded in controversy, followed intense humanitarian intervention and high-level government discussions that had everyone talking!

These 153 Palestinians touched down on a chartered Global Airways flight from Nairobi, only to be met with the stern eyes of the Border Management Authority (BMA). Officials quickly uncovered glaring irregularities in their documentation, including missing departure stamps, the absence of return tickets, and unverified accommodation addresses! It seemed like a bureaucratic nightmare waiting to unfold.

Despite the glaring documentation gaps that could have led to an immediate deportation drama, the situation took a surprising twist! The Palestinian embassy swooped in to confirm that these travelers were NOT seeking asylum, while the humanitarian organization Gift of the Guters promised they would be well taken care of. 

In a nail-biting climax, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber presented this new information to BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, ultimately leading to the controversial decision to allow entry on supposed humanitarian grounds. However, by the time the green light was given, 23 travelers had already slipped through the cracks and headed to other destinations, with 130 left to navigate South Africa's standard 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian passport holders.

This incident unfolds against South Africa’s long-standing support for Palestinian rights, which includes an explosive genocide case against Israel currently pending at the International Court of Justice. President Cyril Ramaphosa even acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, these travelers would have faced repatriation due to their documentation issues. But, in a show of compassion that sparked debate, he insisted their acceptance was a must in this instance!

To add fuel to the fire, authorities are now investigating shocking claims made by the Palestinian embassy regarding an "unregistered and misleading organization" that allegedly exploited desperate families from Gaza, arranging their travel through "irregular and irresponsible" means.