Thirteen students and researchers from Gaza, awarded scholarships to Belgian universities, remain unable to leave the territory due to a political impasse within Belgium’s coalition government over their evacuation. The deadlock has left the students “devastated,” with many facing the prospect of losing an academic year amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
One of the affected students, 28-year-old doctor Ahmed Abujami, who holds a scholarship for a one-year master’s degree in public health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, expressed deep disappointment. He hopes to acquire skills necessary for rebuilding Gaza’s health system but is currently blocked from leaving Gaza and unable to apply for a visa in person, a requirement that can only be fulfilled in Jerusalem or Cairo. “We have already lost so much because of the war and now we are facing the possibility of losing another academic year,” Abujami said.
Similarly, 23-year-old graduate Salwa Abu Elhaj, enrolled to study communication sciences at KU Leuven, described the situation as heartbreaking. Living in a tent with her family after their home was destroyed, she highlighted the ongoing uncertainty surrounding safety, and access to food, water, electricity, and communication in Gaza.
Ahmed Alsalibi, a 39-year-old computer science professor with an approved fellowship at the Free University of Brussels (ULB), has his visa but cannot collect it without traveling to Cairo, Jordan, or Jerusalem, which is currently impossible. He aims to develop artificial intelligence systems to improve emergency vehicle dispatch in Gaza and called the government’s failure to reach an agreement “painful.”
The Belgian federal government, a coalition of five parties, has been unable to agree on the evacuation plan. Maxime Prévot, Belgium’s deputy leader and foreign minister, announced the withdrawal of a proposal to facilitate the students’ departure after one coalition partner, understood to be the Flemish nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), opposed it. The N-VA reportedly conditioned its acceptance on concessions related to policies on returns from Afghanistan and the establishment of return hubs.
Annelien Van Bossuyt, Belgium’s asylum and migration minister and an N-VA member, expressed opposition to the students’ entry, citing concerns about a potential “domino effect.” She argued that allowing their entry could set a precedent, raising questions about similar requests by people from countries such as Yemen or Sudan.
In response, the rectors of seven Belgian academic institutions involved in hosting the students published a joint statement expressing outrage at the political deadlock. They emphasized that these students are not “illegal migrants” but individuals selected through competitive independent committees and holding scholarships that cover their living expenses. The rectors underscored the students’ motivation to return home, noting that their studies align with Gaza’s reconstruction needs.
The academic leaders continue to advocate for a resolution to enable the students to leave Gaza and pursue their education in Belgium, highlighting the broader challenges faced by individuals trapped in conflict zones seeking academic advancement.