Belgium shelved plans last week to evacuate Palestinian students from Gaza, a decision that has exposed divisions within the country’s coalition government.
The rectors of Belgium’s 10 leading universities expressed their “dismay” over the decision in a letter, accusing the government of treating the students as “bargaining chips” in what they described as unacceptable political negotiations.
Centrist Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has supported the evacuation of the students but has faced opposition from the Flemish conservatives led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, according to a government source.
Mr Prevot said a member of the five-party coalition had demanded concessions on migration, including the establishment of deportation centres, in exchange for approving the evacuations.
The university rectors rejected the use of the students as leverage in political discussions over migration.
“They must not be treated as bargaining chips or as variables to be adjusted in political debates on migration,” the rectors said.
They said the students had received scholarships based on academic merit and intended to return to their home countries to contribute to reconstruction efforts.
According to several non-governmental organisations, around 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza are currently waiting to travel to Belgium after being granted permission to enter, mainly through family reunification arrangements.
However, evacuations from Gaza, where Israel’s war has continued, have proceeded slowly. Activists and university officials have accused the Belgian government of deliberately delaying the process.
The university chiefs said recent discussions indicated that the delays were not caused by insurmountable logistical difficulties but instead reflected what they described as a lack of political will.
The issue is not limited to Belgium. Palestinian students seeking to travel for studies in Italy, Turkiye, the Netherlands and Germany have also reported delays in recent months.
