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Belgian Minister Opposes Entry of Palestinian Students from Gaza
(MENAFN) Belgium’s asylum and migration minister says she is against allowing 13 Palestinian students from Gaza to enter the country, despite the students already holding scholarships and visas to pursue their studies in Belgium.
Anneleen Van Bossuyt said authorities need to assess the broader implications of admitting the students, warning that the decision could create a “domino effect.”
“It is presented as if it concerns only 13 people, but we must not forget the domino effect,” she said, arguing that the students could eventually seek family reunification or request asylum.
She also questioned whether similar exceptions would have to be extended to individuals from other countries experiencing conflict, including Yemen, Sudan and Afghanistan.
“Why would that not apply to people from Yemen or Sudan? Or why not Afghan girls who want to study here?” she said.
Reports indicate that some of the Palestinian students have been waiting as long as two years for the opportunity to travel to Belgium.
Herwig Leirs, rector of the University of Antwerp, said admitting the students ultimately depends on political willingness.
Flor Didden, from Belgian development organization 11.11.11, meanwhile, criticized the minister’s stance, emphasizing that the students were invited by a Belgian university and had already received scholarships.
Anneleen Van Bossuyt said authorities need to assess the broader implications of admitting the students, warning that the decision could create a “domino effect.”
“It is presented as if it concerns only 13 people, but we must not forget the domino effect,” she said, arguing that the students could eventually seek family reunification or request asylum.
She also questioned whether similar exceptions would have to be extended to individuals from other countries experiencing conflict, including Yemen, Sudan and Afghanistan.
“Why would that not apply to people from Yemen or Sudan? Or why not Afghan girls who want to study here?” she said.
Reports indicate that some of the Palestinian students have been waiting as long as two years for the opportunity to travel to Belgium.
Herwig Leirs, rector of the University of Antwerp, said admitting the students ultimately depends on political willingness.
Flor Didden, from Belgian development organization 11.11.11, meanwhile, criticized the minister’s stance, emphasizing that the students were invited by a Belgian university and had already received scholarships.
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