A group of 26 Palestinian students from Gaza has arrived in
Ireland on 28 August 2025, with a further 26 students expected to arrive in the
following days. These students have been offered full scholarships by Irish
educational institutions under the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme
(IPSP). The Irish government continues to facilitate the evacuation and support
for these students amid ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Arrival of Palestinian Students and Scholarship Programme
As reported by Simon Harris TD, Tánaiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade, the first group of 26 Palestinian students arrived
in Ireland on 28 August 2025, with the remaining 26, who have all received
scholarships from Irish institutions, set to arrive between Friday and Sunday. The
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including embassies in Israel,
Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey, coordinated with local authorities to enable the
journey of these young people from Gaza. Since the start of the crisis in Gaza,
Ireland has assisted over 200 individuals in leaving Gaza to reach Ireland,
though such efforts depend on permissions from local authorities, particularly
in Israel and neighbouring areas (Simon Harris TD, Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade).
Details of the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme (IPSP)
The IPSP offers full scholarships for one-year
Master’s-level programmes in Irish universities. The scholarship is part of the
Ireland Fellows global scholarship programme run by the Irish Government.
Recipients benefit from the full payment of academic fees, visa application
fees, medical and travel insurance, economy flights, residence permit fees, and
a monthly living stipend. Additional allowances include settling-in and
completion allowances, as well as accommodation provisions during the academic
year. Applicants must be Palestinians residing in the occupied Palestinian
territory and meet academic eligibility criteria, including a minimum GPA and
English language proficiency scores.
Humanitarian Context and Irish Government Position
Tánaiste Simon Harris reiterated Ireland’s grave concern
about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasising that escalation of military
hostilities and resulting famine worsen the suffering of civilians. Ireland has
consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and
unimpeded humanitarian aid access to Gaza. The government praised diplomatic
staff for their efforts to facilitate the students’ journey and educational
opportunities, despite the ongoing conflict's complexities.
Challenges Faced by Palestinian Students Awaiting Evacuation
While this group successfully reached Ireland, prior reports
have highlighted the difficulties faced by other Palestinian students accepted
by Irish universities but stranded in Gaza. According to reporting in The Ditch
and Irish Examiner, at least 20 to 40 Palestinian students holding visas and
scholarships remain in Gaza due to restrictive Irish government policies that
limit evacuation assistance to those on official government scholarships.
Despite their acceptance to Irish universities and processed visas, these
students have not received government evacuation support. Advocates and
politicians have raised concerns, describing the stance of the Department of
Foreign Affairs as dismissive towards the plight of these students. The Irish
embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed visa processing but stated no evacuation plans
are imminent.
Comparison with Other Countries’ Student Evacuation Efforts
Similar efforts are underway in other countries. The UK government recently approved the arrival of approximately 40 Gazan students
with funded scholarships, including Chevening scholars, pending Israeli
permission for their exit. France has evacuated dozens from Gaza earlier this
year but temporarily paused its program following controversies. Ireland, while
facilitating some evacuations, has faced scrutiny for the limited scope of its
evacuation assistance.
Broader Irish Government Support and Ongoing Operations
The Irish government has evacuated more than 200 people from Gaza during the crisis, although this assistance often relies on complex permissions beyond Irish control. The government has also facilitated medical evacuations, though some delays and challenges remain. The Tánaiste expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people enduring the conflict and reiterated calls for an end to hostilities and humanitarian relief.
The arrival of the first group of Palestinian students to Ireland on full scholarships marks an important milestone for educational and humanitarian support for Palestinians amid ongoing conflict. However, challenges persist for many others awaiting evacuation. The Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme provides significant academic and financial support, representing Ireland’s commitment to aiding Palestinian youth, yet broader evacuation and humanitarian issues remain pressing in the context of the Gaza conflict.