Three Palestinians who were supposed to study at the UvA are trapped in Gaza
Three Palestinian students who were due to begin their studies at the UvA in February are unable to leave Gaza. As a result, they cannot collect their study visas, which are waiting for them in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Three Palestinian students were due to come to the Netherlands this semester to begin their studies at the UvA. There is only one problem: they cannot leave Gaza. As a result, they are unable to collect their study visas, which are waiting for them at the Dutch embassy in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Israel is keeping the borders closed to some Gazans, and since an official ceasefire came into effect the Dutch government has stopped providing assistance to people trying to leave the area. As a result, a total of 42 Palestinians are currently stranded in Gaza, for whom permits are ready allowing them to conduct research in the Netherlands or begin a course of study. Two of them are now appealing against the Dutch state, demanding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs help them leave Gaza.
Palestinian journalist Hisham S. M. Zaqout was also stranded in Gaza for some time last month, even though he had permission to take part in the Safe Haven Fellowship at NIAS. Zaqout ultimately did manage to reach the Netherlands.
UvA
In a response, the UvA says it is closely following the court case and hopes the three students will still be able to come to the Netherlands. “We helped with applying for a visa, as we always do in cases like this, and we are in close contact with the students through a contact person. As far as we are concerned, these students should of course have been able to start at the beginning of February,” a spokesperson said.
