Minister faces potential High Court action over visa refusals for Gaza scholarship students

Among these students is Zainab Eid (pictured right, with her four-year-old son Karim, left), a Gazan woman who was granted a scholarship in University College Cork, but who has also been denied a visa to travel here.

The minister for justice is facing potential legal action over the refusal of visas to students from Gaza who have secured scholarships to study at universities here.

Upwards of 30 students who applied for study visas after securing scholarships have seen their applications refused. They were due to begin courses here in the coming weeks.

Among these students is Zainab Eid, a Gazan woman who was granted a scholarship in University College Cork, but who has also been denied a visa to travel here.

On Friday, a legal team working on behalf of the students accused the State of imposing “impossible obstacles” in their way by seeking original documentary evidence.

Minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan has been put on notice of potential legal action by Phoenix Law in relation to the matter.

The firm said Mr O’Callaghan has until next Thursday to respond, or proceedings will be issued in the High Court seeking a judicial review.

“It is not only unjust, but in our view unlawful, to refuse the Gaza students from taking up their scholarships in Ireland based upon documentary requirements that the State knows they simply cannot fulfil,” Alannah Faulkner of Phoenix Law said.

“These examples include stark requests such as original bank statements in circumstances in which the bank is now merely rubble in Gaza.” 

Ms Faulkner added: “Insult is further added to injury in circumstances in which the State is stipulating that the students can only submit their documents by postal service, in circumstances in which there no longer exists a functioning postal administration in Gaza.

"These requirements are imposing impossible obstacles in the way of our clients from accessing further education at a time when they and their families seek to protect themselves from the ongoing genocide.

"The Irish State should be interjecting with a bridge of hope and education, not imposing insurmountable hurdles which will restrict the students from Gaza from a future of hope and education."