Belgian universities condemn government refusal to evacuate Gaza scholarship students
Top Belgian universities condemned their government on Monday for refusing to help 13 Palestinian students leave Gaza.
Rectors express dismay at delay
The rectors of Belgium's top 10 universities sent a letter expressing dismay at the administration's decision. They accused officials of treating the students as bargaining chips in political horse-trading. The university leaders stated that obstacles are not insurmountable constraints but a lack of political will.
Coalition split over migration deal
Centrist Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot advocated for evacuation but faced opposition from the Flemish conservative party. A coalition member demanded concessions on migration, including deportation centres, before agreeing to the evacuations. This demand caused a deadlock within the five-party government last week.
Students blocked from leaving Gaza
The 13 students and researchers have scholarships but cannot apply for visas without being in Jerusalem or Cairo. They expressed devastation after the plan to leave the war-torn territory failed to pass. These individuals follow a strict academic selection process unrelated to current political disagreements.
All 3 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Middle East Eye
- Dawn
- The Guardian
Reported by
3 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.