Universities urge Belgium to ease entry for threatened Palestinian academics
Universities are calling on Belgium’s Foreign ministry to show more flexibility in allowing threatened scientists from Palestine to take up research posts in the country. They warn that strict adherence to documentation rules is making it nearly impossible for some to leave Gaza and start work.
“All Flemish universities have a scholarship programme,” Jan Danckaert, rector of VUB and chair of the Flemish Interuniversity Council, told VRT. “We take part in the Scholars at Risk programme, which gives threatened scientists — particularly now from Palestine — the opportunity to work in our labs and research groups.”
One such case is Ahmed Alsalibi, 39, dean of engineering at Israa University in Gaza. He was set to begin work at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in October 2024 on a grant from the Scholars at Risk programme. His visa and work permit have been approved but he cannot reach the Belgian embassy in Egypt due to the closure of Gaza’s borders.
"Please help us evacuate safely, so I can take up my place at ULB and give my son a chance to live in peace"
“I appeal to the Belgian government and the public,” Alsalibi said in a video message. “I ask for a chance to survive and to contribute to my academic field. Please help us evacuate safely, so I can take up my place at ULB and give my son a chance to live in peace.”
ULB is backing his call. “We ask the federal government to expand the list of people eligible for evacuation,” said vice-rector Anne Weyembergh. “The situation in Gaza has worsened. We know that genocide is increasingly taking place. We call for all researchers in danger to be evacuated.”
'Exceptional circumstances'
Danckaert echoed that message: “We urge the Foreign ministry to apply the rules, but show some flexibility. Many of these people can’t obtain the required documents because their homes have been bombed or they’re unable to travel to Jerusalem. These are exceptional circumstances.”
The ministry, however, told VRT that an expansion of the evacuation list was not currently feasible. “In October 2023, the previous government decided to limit evacuation to Belgian citizens and recognised refugees,” a spokesperson said. Around 500 people were added to the list, and efforts are still focused on getting them out safely.
Students on the ULB campus in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO JASMINE MAZUIN
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