British Universities Urge Prime Minister to Evacuate Palestinian Scholarship Students from Gaza
Twenty-five students face losing their places if they do not evacuate by the end of the week.
LONDON: Twenty-five Palestinian students from the Gaza Strip, who have been awarded scholarships at prestigious British universities, are facing the loss of their academic placements if they cannot be evacuated from the war-torn region by the end of this week.
University officials have appealed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for assistance in this matter.The affected students were set to study undergraduate degrees, master’s, and doctorate programs at top universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Exeter, Glasgow, Sussex, and University College London.
However, due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, their positions are now under threat if they do not secure evacuation spots on planned October 22nd and 26th lists.In a letter addressed to Starmer, vice-chancellors, principals, and presidents from these seven universities criticized government restrictions that prevent students from bringing dependents with them to the UK.
They called upon ministers to exercise their discretion in allowing family members of students to join them in Britain.
According to The Independent newspaper, Palestinian students are placed in an 'impossible choice' between attending a British university and leaving their families behind amidst the conflict.University officials highlighted that only nine out of the 25 students wish to bring dependents with them.
For doctorate students, there is the possibility to begin studies at a later date; however, this option isn't feasible for others due to the uncertainty surrounding future evacuation opportunities.
The next available slots for these evacuations will not be until November.Acknowledging previous government efforts in assisting evacuations of scholarship students from Gaza and working towards securing a ceasefire, university representatives requested urgent updates on an evacuation timeline for remaining students.
Concerns have been voiced regarding the delay in including eligible students on upcoming evacuation lists, with some facing impossible choices that include leaving behind young children to attend university.UNICEF has plans to evacuate students and their families from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on October 26th, pending approval from the UK's Foreign Office.
Additionally, thirty-five British rabbis and bishops have endorsed the call made by university officials, emphasizing that compassion should not be hindered by bureaucratic obstacles.
University officials have appealed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for assistance in this matter.The affected students were set to study undergraduate degrees, master’s, and doctorate programs at top universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Exeter, Glasgow, Sussex, and University College London.
However, due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, their positions are now under threat if they do not secure evacuation spots on planned October 22nd and 26th lists.In a letter addressed to Starmer, vice-chancellors, principals, and presidents from these seven universities criticized government restrictions that prevent students from bringing dependents with them to the UK.
They called upon ministers to exercise their discretion in allowing family members of students to join them in Britain.
According to The Independent newspaper, Palestinian students are placed in an 'impossible choice' between attending a British university and leaving their families behind amidst the conflict.University officials highlighted that only nine out of the 25 students wish to bring dependents with them.
For doctorate students, there is the possibility to begin studies at a later date; however, this option isn't feasible for others due to the uncertainty surrounding future evacuation opportunities.
The next available slots for these evacuations will not be until November.Acknowledging previous government efforts in assisting evacuations of scholarship students from Gaza and working towards securing a ceasefire, university representatives requested urgent updates on an evacuation timeline for remaining students.
Concerns have been voiced regarding the delay in including eligible students on upcoming evacuation lists, with some facing impossible choices that include leaving behind young children to attend university.UNICEF has plans to evacuate students and their families from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on October 26th, pending approval from the UK's Foreign Office.
Additionally, thirty-five British rabbis and bishops have endorsed the call made by university officials, emphasizing that compassion should not be hindered by bureaucratic obstacles.
