The President of KU Leuven in Belgium, Luc Vermeir, urged the government of this country to allow the entry of 13 Palestinian students from Gaza so they can start their studies. Vermeir stated that three of these students were scheduled to begin their studies at KU Leuven this week.
Concerns About the Students' Situation
Vermeir expressed his sadness and anger regarding the uncertainty surrounding the status of these students in an interview with the media, saying: "There is only one right decision: these 13 students must be able to come to Belgium." He also pointed out that the university considers these students victims of "political games" and emphasized that the presidents of Belgian universities have raised this issue with the federal government in recent months.
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Pressure on the Belgian Government
Vermeir added: "We have sent letters to the Minister of Asylum and Migration, Annelies Verlinden, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxim Provoost, and the Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo." He stated that the university continues to apply pressure and hopes that the federal government will eventually make a decision.
According to local reports, Maxim Provoost has supported the idea of evacuating the students but faced opposition from the conservative Flemish party led by De Croo. Vermeir also noted that these students are seeking to enter Belgium to continue their higher education and not through informal channels.
He mentioned other European countries that have accepted Palestinian students from Gaza and said that in recent days about 170 students have found residence in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. Vermeir concluded by asking the Belgian government: "Why can't these 13 students come to Belgium and pursue their studies at a Belgian university?"
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