55 Gazan students trapped

Time is running out: 55 Gazan scholars won Irish university places, but sudden visa denials leave them trapped in a war zone. With only days until the October 15 deadline to submit the evacuation list, sign now to show Irish leaders that the world demands they act before it’s too late! A group of 55 young Palestinians in Gaza did the impossible: amidst horror, rubble, and falling bombs, they earned university places and full scholarships in Ireland to rebuild their futures. But instead of throwing them a lifeline, the Irish authorities denied their study visas. Now, time is running out fast. If their visas are not granted before October 15th, these students will be left off the next international evacuation out of Gaza, trapping them in a war zone where universities have been bombed to dust. Three Gazan students got their visas yesterday, winning a court challenge – showing that last minute pressure on all fronts is having an impact. But dozens are still waiting! Top Irish leaders have the power to step in today and help grant these visas. Join this emergency appeal and demand they immediately act to overrule the refusals and evacuate these students to safety!

Time is running out: 55 Gazan scholars won Irish university places, but sudden visa denials leave them trapped in a war zone. With only days until the October 15 deadline to submit the evacuation list, sign now to show Irish leaders that the world demands they act before it’s too late! ADD YOUR NAME NOW Dear friends, A group of 55 young Palestinians in Gaza did the impossible: amidst horror, rubble, and falling bombs, they earned university places and full scholarships in Ireland to rebuild their futures. But instead of throwing them a lifeline, the Irish authorities denied their study visas. Now, time is running out fast. If their visas are not granted before October 15th, these students will be left off the next international evacuation out of Gaza, trapping them in a war zone where universities have been bombed to dust. Three Gazan students got their visas yesterday, winning a court challenge – showing that last minute pressure on all fronts is having an impact. But dozens are still waiting! Top Irish leaders have the power to step in today and help grant these visas. Join this emergency appeal and demand they immediately act to overrule the refusals and evacuate these students to safety! Sign now – grant visas to Gazan students before it's too late Last year, Ireland proudly welcomed Palestinian students, with only 13% of visas refused. This year, under new decision-making, refusals skyrocketed to a staggering 83%. This sudden wall of bureaucracy comes at the worst possible moment: the UN has warned that the systematic destruction of Gaza’s entire higher education system – described as a targeted "scholasticide" – threatens the future of the Palestinian people for generations to come. Some in the government claim paperwork or procedures must take their course. But these students have already passed rigorous academic checks, secured scholarship funding, and cleared university vetting. Ireland is a country that prides itself on standing for human rights and international law – so we’re now making a global call, demanding the country’s leaders don’t turn their backs on these students. And the pressure is building. Lawyers are fighting for the students in the Irish High Court right now. A global outcry could give Irish leaders an additional push to reverse this cruel refusal. If thousands of us speak out today, we can help encourage the government to do the right thing before the October 15 evacuation deadline closes. Sign now – grant visas to Gazan students before it's too late Our movement has fought for vulnerable refugees fleeing violence, and pushed governments to honor their human rights commitments – always, and especially when lives are on the line. Today, we stand with 55 young scholars, using our voices to pry open the door to safety and education – let's make sure Ireland answers their call. With hope and determination, Parker, Marco, Antonia, Lilian, Julian, and the whole Avaaz team PS: We are using the lower number of 55 scholars who won full scholarships in this campaign, also used by “Gaza Scholars Ireland” and several media outlets (it’s 58 minus the three who just secured their visas). As many as 115 Gazan students may be affected by denied visa applications, according to other reports – our solidarity and support is with all of them. More information: Gazan students’ visas must be granted before it is too late (Irish Examiner) 'Appalling injustice' - academics call on Taoiseach to intervene over visas for Gazan students (The Journal) State Opposes Gazan Student’s Legal Challenge as Court Moves to Expedited Hearing (The University Times)

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