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South Africa Revokes Visa Exemption for Palestinians Amid Abuse Claims

12/7/2025

Summary

Story summary

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs revoked the 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian passport holders.
Investigations linked abuse to Israeli actors facilitating "voluntary emigration" from Gaza.
Dr. Leon Schreiber, South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, said travelers arrived with no proper documentation or asylum intentions and were left destitute.
The department will process asylum applications from travelers on recent charter flights and will scrutinize future Palestinian visa requests.

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Story summary

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs revoked the 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian passport holders.
Investigations linked abuse to Israeli actors facilitating "voluntary emigration" from Gaza.
Dr. Leon Schreiber, South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, said travelers arrived with no proper documentation or asylum intentions and were left destitute.
The department will process asylum applications from travelers on recent charter flights and will scrutinize future Palestinian visa requests.