The Gaza-based Hamas resistance movement has hailed South Africa’s historic decision to exempt Palestinian citizens from entry visas, saying the move reflects “a message of solidarity” with Palestine.
“Hamas movement welcomes the decision of South Africa about exempting Palestinian citizens from entry visas to enter the country,” Hamas said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said the move is “appreciated and reflects a message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
“We also call on all countries to take similar measures towards Palestinians who face the Israeli occupation’s fascism and racism,” it added.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki also welcomed the historic move.
Al-Maliki considered the decision a new message of solidarity from South Africa.
The South African government exempted Palestinian citizens holding Palestinian passports from entry visas to the country.
A memorandum from the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine confirmed the implementation of the decision.
Following the decision, Palestinians will receive entry visas at all airports, ports, and border crossings in South Africa for a 90-day period without issuing visas from the country’s embassies.
Relations between Palestine and South Africa have a longstanding history of solidarity and mutual support rooted in their shared struggles against oppression and injustice.
During the era of apartheid in South Africa, Palestinians expressed solidarity with the anti-apartheid movement and provided support to the South African people in their quest for freedom and equality. Similarly, South Africans were inspired by the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and saw it as a parallel struggle against oppression.
