Key facts
- Thirteen students and researchers from Gaza are unable to travel to Belgium for scholarships due to government deadlock.
- Students are blocked from leaving Gaza and cannot apply for visas in person in Jerusalem or Cairo.
- Ahmed Abujami, a doctor, has a scholarship for a master's in public health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.
- Salwa Abu Elhaj hopes to study communications sciences at KU Leuven.
- Ahmed Alsalibi, a computer science professor, has a fellowship at the Free University of Brussels (ULB).
- Belgium's asylum and migration minister, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, opposes the students' entry, citing concerns about a 'domino effect' and stronger deportation measures.
Students from Gaza have expressed deep disappointment and devastation after Belgium's government failed to reach an agreement on a plan to enable 13 students and researchers to travel for their scholarships. The deadlock, which occurred last Friday, has left their academic futures uncertain as they remain trapped in the war-torn territory.
Ahmed Abujami, a 28-year-old doctor, was set to pursue a one-year master's degree in public health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp. He stated he was "devastated by the failure to reach an agreement" and feared losing another academic year. Like the other 12 students, he is unable to apply for a Belgian visa in person, as required, because he cannot leave Gaza. Salwa Abu Elhaj, 23, hopes to study communications sciences at KU Leuven, but her opportunity feels increasingly uncertain due to circumstances beyond her control. Ahmed Alsalibi, a 39-year-old computer science professor awarded a fellowship at the Free University of Brussels, also faces the challenge of collecting his visa in person in Cairo, Jordan, or Jerusalem.
Several European countries, including Italy and the UK, have previously facilitated the evacuation of students and researchers from conflict zones. Rectors from seven Belgian academic institutions involved published a joint article in De Standaard, calling the outcome "outrageous" and stating the students "are not illegal migrants." They emphasized that the students were selected through competitive processes and aim to use their education to help rebuild Gaza.
The Belgian government's coalition, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, fractured over the issue. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot withdrew his proposal after it was reportedly rejected by the New Flemish Alliance party, unless concessions were made on returns to Afghanistan and other return hubs. Asylum and migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt opposed the entry, citing concerns about setting a precedent for other asylum seekers and the potential for family members to follow. She is expected to make a statement in parliament on Wednesday.