Belgian universities condemn refusal to help Gaza students reach the country
Ten leading Belgian universities have condemned the government's decision not to help 13 students from the Gaza Strip, who received scholarships at Belgian educational institutions, reach the country. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, Brussels postponed plans to evacuate Palestinian students last week.
Rectors' position
The rectors of ten universities expressed outrage at the authorities' decision in a letter. They said the students were being used as bargaining chips in discussions on migration policy.
According to the university leaders, these people's cases should be considered as those of students and researchers who earned scholarships thanks to their academic achievements. The letter also states that all of them declared their intention to return home to contribute to reconstruction.
The rectors believe that the stated obstacles to evacuation are linked not to insurmountable circumstances, but to a lack of political will.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Differences within the coalition
According to a government source cited by the outlet, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot supported the evacuation of the students. At the same time, he faced opposition from the Flemish conservative party of Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Prévot said that one of the members of the five-party coalition demanded concessions on migration policy in exchange for agreeing to the evacuation. The demands included the creation of deportation centers.
Awaiting departure from Gaza
According to estimates by several non-governmental organizations, around 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza who have been granted the right to enter Belgium are waiting for an opportunity to leave. This mainly concerns family reunification procedures.
Activists and universities say that Belgian authorities are deliberately slowing the evacuation process. Palestinian students hoping to study in Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands and Germany have also reported delays in recent months.
