In response, the UK government has begun to evacuate more than 80 Palestinian students. This is especially significant as these students have already received offers to study at universities in the UK starting this coming academic year. It was recent months of advocacy from politicians, academics, and other civil rights organizations that proved critical in turning this decision around. They emphasized the crisis the students now face as the violent attack on Gaza continues.
This pilot project will enable nine Palestinian students to leave Gaza. They will apply for scholarships via the Chevening scheme. The Chevening scheme is another example of UK government funding available specifically for international students. It allows them to study UK one-year master’s degrees. The UK government’s intention is to fly such students to a third country which is “a safe destination close to Afghanistan.” There, they will process visa biometric checks before continuing finally on to the UK.
This year’s initiative hopes to continue ensuring these children receive the medical care they need in the coming weeks. The evacuation of all of these students requires Israel’s approval and coordination with the IDF. Delivering a humanitarian corridor requires Israel to allow each Simonian to exit the territory.
This new opportunity is indeed a remarkable moment. These students would be the first educational cohort to exit Gaza since the war began between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023. Nearly 40 students are part of this newest evacuation in the district’s decision.
Meanwhile, other countries like Canada and Greece have already started evacuating their own students. Italy, Ireland, and France have facilitated similar efforts, although France recently suspended its evacuation program following controversy surrounding a Palestinian student accused of making antisemitic remarks online.
The backdrop to this initiative is stark. In October 2023, the government of Israel escalated military operations and violence against Gaza. This retaliation came after a surprise Hamas incursion that resulted in the death of an estimated 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 more. Since then the devastating toll from this continues to mount, with more than 60,000 people reported killed in Gaza. The violence has drastically constricted Palestinians’ area of mobility. Now they find it almost impossible to leave the territory without assistance from international diplomatic channels.
Ever since that fateful September, UK-Israeli relations have been quickly downhill. The UK pledged to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel failed to meet specific criteria for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities in the current war.
