UK MPs urge government to delay biometric visa checks for Gaza students

LONDON

More than 100 MPs from across various political parties have signed a letter urging the UK government to delay biometric visa checks for 80 students from Gaza, enabling them to begin their university studies in Britain this September.

Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Barry Gardiner are leading the initiative, calling for the requirement to be deferred to allow the students safe passage out of Gaza and into Jordan or Egypt, where the checks could then be carried out.

Mohamed, posting on X, stated: “Over 100 MPs join me in calling for biometric requirements for students from Gaza to be deferred until they get to Jordan or Egypt. This is about allowing for safe passage for talented students who have earned places at UK institutions through their academic ability."

"These students are seeking to realize their full potential in the face of unimaginable challenges, often through displacement, death and destruction. For young people who have won a place, this is a lifeline," she added.

The original draft of the letter was addressed to the home secretary but the final version has now been sent directly to the prime minister.

Speaking to Sky News, Gardiner said the opportunity for these students to study in the UK was vital for the future of Palestine.

"These young people are the future of Palestine. They are the young talent, and it doesn't matter whether they're constructing a road network, or a sewage system, or they're town planners or, as in the case of Haia Mohamed, astonishingly profound poets - the state of Palestine will need everything from classical musicians right the way through to town planners," he said.

"And these youngsters are coming over here with that full range of study potential, with the express intention of going back and building their nation."

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,000 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave that is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.