South Africa to Palestinian Territory visa requirements

Palestine issues no visas of its own. Entry to the West Bank (the only area realistically open to tourists) is controlled entirely by Israel. South African ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt for Israel for stays up to 90 days, but since 1 January 2025 they must first obtain an Israel ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before boarding. So for a short tourist visit the controlling document is the Israeli ETA-IL, not a Palestinian visa. There is no independent Palestinian visa or international port of entry available to ordinary tourists. The Palestinian Authority does not impose visa conditions beyond those set by Israel, and access to the West Bank is governed by Israeli immigration at Ben Gurion Airport or the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge from Jordan (Gaza is effectively closed to tourism). South African ordinary passport holders enjoy a 90-day visa exemption for Israel, but since the rollout of the ETA-IL system on 1 January 2025 they must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization before travel. The ETA-IL costs NIS 25 (it was free during the pilot phase), is valid for two years or until passport expiry, permits stays of up to 90 days per visit, and is normally approved within 24-72 hours. Entry into Palestinian Authority areas of the West Bank is then made on the Israeli entry permit/slip issued at the border; travellers entering via Allenby may receive a permit limited to PA-controlled areas. Because no visa-free or Palestinian-issued channel exists and the practical requirement is a pre-arrival electronic authorization, the verdict is ETA. Conditions on the ground change frequently due to security and crossing closures, so confirm status with the airline and Israeli authorities shortly before travel.