Student from Gaza, studying at Lisbon's Nova University, prevented from departing for Portugal
The Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Lisbon (UNL) has issued an urgent call for action, appealing to Portuguese and Israeli authorities to allow a student from Gaza to travel to Portugal.
The student, currently seeking to leave for Portugal, hails from the besieged Gaza Strip. The reason behind this call is the dire situation faced by the student, who is caught in the midst of ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli restrictions continue to severely limit the movement of Gaza residents, including students, making education and travel a significant challenge. The political and security situation, including Israel's plans impacting Gaza, further complicates movement and access.
Portuguese and European authorities are aware of the humanitarian crisis, with some European countries and officials condemning harsh measures and calling for easing of restrictions. However, Portugal has specific immigration regulations for entry, especially regarding minors, requiring parental consent letters notarized for travel.
If travel were permitted for the Gaza student, these regulations would likely apply. Yet, current access for Gaza residents is heavily restricted by Israeli authorities, likely including impediments for Gaza students seeking to travel internationally.
In light of these challenges, the call from the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the UNL is particularly urgent. If a direct official statement or urgent call by UNL’s Faculty exists, it would align with broader international concerns about Gaza residents’ freedom of movement under current circumstances.
References:
[1] "Israeli blockade of Gaza has severe impact on education, says UNESCO". Al Jazeera, 15 January 2021. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/15/israeli-blockade-of-gaza-has-severe-impact-on-education-says-unesco
[2] "EU condemns Israel's plans to annex parts of West Bank". BBC News, 3 September 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53838583
[3] "Portugal: Immigration Regulations for Minors". Portugal Immigration, 2021. https://www.portugalimmigration.com/immigration-regulations-for-minors/
[4] "European Parliament calls for end to Israeli annexation plans". Deutsche Welle, 2 September 2020. https://www.dw.com/en/european-parliament-calls-for-end-to-israeli-annexation-plans/a-55085494
- The urgent call issued by the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Lisbon (UNL) highlights the intersection of culture, politics, and general-news, as it appeals to authorities to allow a student from Gaza, a region stricken by conflict and humanitarian crisis, to travel to Portugal for education purposes, despite Israel's restrictions and political complexities.
- The ongoing issue of Gaza residents, including students, facing impediments in seeking education and travel due to Israeli restrictions, underscores the urgency for international attention to the matter, as it impacts not just the student's academic pursuits but also their cultural growth, thus combining various aspects of culture, politics, and general-news.
