MPs highlight plight of Gaza students unable to come to UK with children | Higher education
A cross-party group of more than 100 MPs has written to the government, highlighting the plight of Palestinian students who are being denied scholarships to UK universities because they are being prevented from bringing their children.
The British government has now evacuated around 60 academics from Gaza, fully funding their university places, with more expected to arrive soon, but others have had to abandon plans to stay with their families.
Among them is 26-year-old Loay*, who was due to study at Oxford University but chose to stay in Gaza after being told his family could not accompany him.
“The postponement of my release was heartbreaking,” he said. “My wife, Hala, and our 3-month-old daughter, Raseel, are my whole world. I couldn’t leave them behind in Gaza City, where life has become a daily nightmare.”
“I was offered a lifeline, but what would life be like if I ran away while they were trapped in this horror? I held out hope that if I waited, we might be allowed to leave together.”
Loay was due to study for a master’s degree in healthcare improvement and evaluation at St Hilda’s College, but now spends her days trying to find formula to feed her young daughter.
“I didn’t want security at the expense of leaving my family behind. Becoming a father deepened my sense of purpose, not only to protect my own daughter, but also to build a future where all children can live in peace.”
“My desire to learn, grow, and return equipped to serve my community has become stronger. I want to continue my education not only for myself, but also for them and Gaza.”
Fatin, a 31-year-old mother of two who is on a scholarship to study a master’s degree in international education and development at the University of Sussex, said: “As I postponed my first evacuation, I tried hard to calm myself down by convincing myself that the days were passing and the next evacuation was imminent.
“However, before I could recover from the stress and pressure of feeling like you were blocking your way out of life with your own trembling hands, I was suddenly assailed by the thought of a second failure, a second heartbreak: What if I can never go with my children again?”
The letter to ministers was signed by MPs and members of the House of Lords from all parties, including former Conservative education secretary Kenneth Baker, veteran Labor member and former child refugee Alf Dubs, former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn and Greens MP and former party leader Carla Denyer.
Abtisam Mohamed, Labor MP for Sheffield Central and coordinator of the letter to the government, said: “The UK has a proud history of supporting academics in conflict zones and I welcome the government’s action so far to evacuate scholarship students from Gaza.”
He said the ceasefire offered an important chance for peace but did not eliminate difficulties for other students who were being asked to make the impossible decision to leave school and continue their education, leaving their young children behind.
“We cannot let bureaucratic obstacles stand in the way of compassion, we must not abandon students and their families whose lives and futures are at risk,” he said.
As part of a crackdown on immigration, most international students are not allowed to bring dependents with them to the UK, but campaigners say these are not typical circumstances and exceptions should be made.
Researcher Dr. from the University of Birmingham, who supports students in Gaza. Nora Parr said Britain had so far welcomed 58 students under its academics evacuation initiative and just one child of a couple who were both postgraduate students, after the then home secretary Yvette Cooper used ministerial discretion.
“Many of the remaining academics are also mothers and fathers who cannot leave the country without their families. Some of these academics are often ineligible to bring their children or spouses on a student visa,” Parr said.
“These are not typical times. Ministerial discretion will need to be used to ensure that they and their fully supported families can reach safety so they can continue their education.”
A government spokesman said: “We are actively supporting students in Gaza. We have already facilitated the departure of some students and expect further students to arrive in the coming weeks. Removing individuals from Gaza is an extremely complex and sensitive operation.”
* Campaigners wanted only first names used
