The visa waiver for Palestinians visiting South Africa is a reality. Palestinian nationals can enter the country for 90 days without the permit.

The National Freedom Party (NFP) has welcomed the finalisation of this matter after much lobbying.

The party’s leader in parliament, Ahmed Shaik Emam says its a watershed moment that encapsulates the core principles of justice, human rights, and equality and sends a powerful message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

However, he points that this should not be the end but for Pretoria to make a broader commitment to align government’s international policies with the principles of human rights and justice. He explains that the disparity that existed between Palestinians requiring visas and Israelis not needing them was deeply problematic.