'Heartless' Labour urged to allow Gazan students to study in Scotland

THE UK Government must ensure students from Gaza are able to take up university places in Scotland, the SNP has said. 

First Minister John Swinney made a call over the weekend for the UK Government to “do everything in its power” to support Palestinian students following reports a young woman, who has a place at the University of Edinburgh, has been unable to leave Gaza due to visa issues.

The Sunday Mail reported that Shaymaa, 32, who is using her first name due to safety concerns, is one of 10 Palestinians in Gaza who have been accepted onto fully-funded courses in Scotland. 

But, due to the only biometric processing centre in Gaza being closed – and all routes out of the country blocked by Israel - there is no way for the students to be allowed to complete the visa checks.

Shaymaa is due to begin her PhD in English literature at Edinburgh University on September 1.

SNP MSP Bob Doris has now echoed the First Minister's calls, as he accused Labour of "slamming the door" in the faces of Palestinian students. 

He said: “The First Minister is absolutely right to demand urgent action. Students from Gaza have already endured unimaginable suffering. The very least Labour can do is ensure they are not denied the opportunity to study here in Scotland. “Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has shown again and again that it will not stand up for Palestine. From refusing to back an immediate ceasefire, to punishing MPs who spoke up for peace, to refusing to recognise Palestine as an independent state. 

(Image: Archive) “Now, that same callousness is punishing young Palestinian students whose only wish is to learn in safety. Scotland is ready to welcome them with open arms, but Labour is slamming the door in their faces. “There is much more to be done to end the genocide in Gaza. The SNP has been absolutely consistent. We recognise Palestine, we demand an end to Israel’s killing in Gaza, and we will always stand with those seeking peace, justice and education.  “Westminster must step up and act. Labour’s failure to act is not just heartless, it is risking lives and futures.”

The First Minister said Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth had contacted UK officials over the issue on August 13, and added that France, Ireland and Italy had managed to successfully evacuate students from Gaza. 

Earlier this month, 80 MPs signed an open letter to the Prime Minister urging him to take action to help the 78 students.

SNP MP Pete Wishart, LibDem Wendy Chamberlain and Brian Leishman were among those who signed the letter.

Shaymaa, originally from Absan al-Kabira, in the south of Gaza, was forced to flee her home when Israeli strikes started and has been displaced multiple times in the past 18 months. She is now living in a tent on a beach in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, with 11 others. 

“Coming to Scotland wouldn’t just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety,” she said.