A Batch Of Gaza Students Reach Ireland To Study In Universities
A batch of 26 Palestinian students arrived in Ireland to study at third-level institutions on Thursday. The 52 students were offered a scholarship to study in the Republic, and the remaining group is set to come over the weekend.
The students’ arrival was delayed after the Israeli government’s restrictions on movement and evacuation delays. College students in Ireland staged a demonstration in Dublin earlier this month, demanding that the government facilitate the evacuation of the students from Gaza.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs said that exit from Gaza is dependent on permission from authorities in Israel and neighbouring jurisdictions, adding that assistance “often rests outside the control of the Government of Ireland”.
Over 50 young people from Gaza have started arriving in Ireland to take up scholarships provided by Irish higher education institutions. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that 26 of the 52 Palestinian students arrived yesterday, with the rest expected between today and Sunday.
Irish embassies in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey worked with local authorities to facilitate their travel. Since the outbreak of the Gaza crisis, Ireland has helped more than 200 people leave the territory and relocate to Ireland.
Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister, welcomed the students, expressing hopes for their academic success. He also praised Irish diplomatic and consular staff for their efforts in making the initiative possible.
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Harris voiced deep concern over the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, condemning Israel’s intensified military actions, which he warned would only increase civilian suffering and casualties. He highlighted that famine has already been declared in parts of Gaza and is expected to worsen in the coming weeks, calling it an avoidable humanitarian crisis.
Ireland continues to demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unrestricted large-scale humanitarian access to Gaza.
