Belgian government splits over visa block for 13 Palestinian scholarship students from Gaza

Cabinet deadlock over Gazan visas

Belgium's federal government faces internal division after Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt blocked 13 Palestinian students and researchers from entering the country. The 13 individuals secured scholarships and admission to Belgian universities but remain in the Gaza Strip without exit visas. Coalition partners Les Engagés, Vooruit, and CD&V support bringing the students to Belgium, while the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and Mouvement Réformateur (MR) oppose the measure. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot formulated an evacuation procedure for the group, but withdrew his proposal on 11 September 2026 after failing to secure cabinet consensus.

Proposed trade-off with deportations

During a hearing of the parliamentary interior affairs committee on 16 September 2026, Van Bossuyt defended her decision by arguing that granting entry would set a dangerous precedent for future asylum claims. She stated that she would consider a compromise only if coalition partners agree to accelerate the deportation of about 60 irregular Afghan migrants convicted of serious crimes and support European Union return hubs. Van Bossuyt also noted that 300 additional people in Gaza await admission to Belgium and roughly 1,800 individuals holding Belgian visas remain inside the enclave. Prévot criticized the proposed linkage, stating that human dignity should not be treated as a hostage in negotiations.

“In a year and a half in this post, I have learned that if you open a door, certain NGOs and certain judges open it completely.”

Academic sector and student reactions

University administrators and affected students voiced sharp opposition to the government's stance. Rectors from 10 Belgian universities published a joint letter urging the federal government to permit the arrival of the scholarship holders. Séverine Vermeire, rector of KU Leuven, reported that three of the students were scheduled to begin their academic term at the university on 16 September 2026. Peter Hellinckx, department chair of electronics and ICT at the University of Antwerp, explained that an engineering student selected for advanced artificial intelligence studies is now unable to attend.

“There is only one right decision: these 13 students must be allowed to come to Belgium.”

Among the stranded students is Ahmed Abujami, a 28-year-old physician awarded a scholarship for a master's degree in public health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp. Abujami described his disappointment at losing an academic year despite completing rigorous academic selections, noting that he sought the training to help rebuild healthcare capacity in Gaza. Salwa Abu Elhaj, who was admitted to KU Leuven to study communication sciences, similarly reported that her prospect of enrolling diminishes with each passing day.

Parliamentary clash and legal arguments

The policy prompted strong pushback during the committee hearing from both opposition lawmakers and coalition representatives. Groen floor leader Matti Vandemaele noted that former N-VA state secretary Theo Francken evacuated 280 Syrian Christians without visas or scholarships under a previous administration. CD&V lawmaker Els Van Hoof argued that the 13 students represent regular legal migration and questioned the data behind claims of a domino effect. Belgian academics also pointed out that requiring applicants to appear physically at the Belgian consulate in Jerusalem is impossible under current border closures, noting that Italy has already evacuated around 200 Gazan students under comparable circumstances.