Reaction from Belgian rectors to the government about Palestinian scholars

According to the Belga agency, the letter written by rectors from Antwerp, Brussels Free, Ghent and Hasselt universities was published in De Standaard newspaper.

The rectors noted that it was "unacceptable" that the federal government could not reach an agreement on bringing Palestinian scholars to the country and said, "Some government partners lack a moral compass." he said.

Rectors criticized that the issue depends on political will, but some parties partnering with the federal government lack this will, and emphasized that the doors of universities are open for Palestinian scholars.

The rectors also rejected the idea of ​​the Minister of Asylum and Immigration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, that Palestinian students could apply for family reunification or asylum if they came to the country, and that this could create a "domino effect".

Stating that if the students reach the country, they will stay in student guesthouses, not in asylum centers, and will attend classes like other international students, the rectors said, "They are determined students with excellent CVs. The programs they follow here also coincide with the reconstruction needs of Gaza. After completing their education, they want to return there to contribute to building the future." he said.

Rectors called for the problem to be resolved quickly

The failure to evacuate students who received scholarships or academic positions from Belgian universities in Gaza increased the pressure on the Belgian government after Italy and England created evacuation mechanisms for people in similar situations.

In the statement made to the AA correspondent by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that the main obstacle in the evacuation of the Palestinian students in question was the inability to actually exit Gaza, rather than the visa procedure.

The Ministry stated that departure from Gaza is possible under current conditions only through evacuations organized by third countries or medical evacuation operations carried out with the World Health Organization, and noted that alternative options are being evaluated with relevant partners and authorities.

In another statement made by the Ministry to the AA correspondent, it was reported that Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot withdrew his proposal, which included the gradual resumption of evacuations from Gaza and the bringing of Palestinian scholars to the country, after one of the government partners linked the issue to concessions on repatriations to Afghanistan and "return centers".