Belgium government deadlock stalls Gaza students' academic scholarships

Rectors from Belgium’s major universities have expressed dismay following a government deadlock that prevents 13 Palestinian students and researchers from Gaza from claiming academic scholarships. The impasse has emerged from political disagreements within Belgium’s five-party coalition government, specifically between Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and the N-VA party.

The students, who were selected through rigorous academic processes, face significant logistical hurdles. Current regulations require visa applications to be submitted in person at Belgian diplomatic posts in Jerusalem or Cairo, a requirement that is currently impossible for those trapped in the Gaza Strip.

Affected individuals, including a doctor awarded a master’s scholarship at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, have described the situation as devastating. They expressed frustration that their academic futures are being stalled by political negotiations despite their intention to use their education to assist in Gaza’s future reconstruction.