Here’s how Durham students can help the offer holders trapped in Gaza

Five Durham University scholarship students are currently trapped in Gaza.

To reach the UK, the prospective students would, according to government plans, be subject to Israeli approval, so no place is definitely secured.

Omar, Omar Salah, Sana and Leen all received funded scholarship places at the university, and are awaiting updates from the Home Office regarding plans for evacuation.

There are fears among students they may die before reaching the UK, as at least 64,231 people have been killed in Gaza since 7th October 2023.

Others have spoken about the difficulties of leaving loved ones behind, which is worsened by the practical uncertainty of the situation. Students could be denied travel luggage, including laptops and necessities, meaning arriving may still feel an unlikely prospect.

Here’s how DUSP is helping Gazan offer holders

The Durham Tab spoke to Durham University Students for Palestine (DUSP), a student-run society which facilitates communication for those restricted by transnational visa constraints. This is implemented via the Gaza40 project.

The society explained that although it welcomes UK progress in helping some Gazan students, it feels only the academically gifted are being prioritised while others remain in danger.

DUSP said: “It’s amazing and relieving for us to see that progress is being made to allow these students to come and study in safety in the UK. However, this happiness is bittersweet.

“These students are receiving attention because they are exceptionally academically talented, showing the conditional mercy of the UK government to those outside its borders. Their peers also deserve to live in safety, but remain trapped in a genocide.”

The society believes the UK government must adopt a “holistic approach” to defend the rights of students to study in Gaza.

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This, it believes, would include terminating the planned £2.5bn deal with Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems. Students can support this effort by joining protests, including those targeting Rafael, the Israeli state-owned weapons factory in Newcastle, the society added.

DUSP has also been in contact with local MP, Mary Foy, who subsequently submitted a joint statement with Durham Palestine Educational Trust to the Home Office.

Contact with senior leadership at Durham University has also been sought, but the society says it’s yet to hear back.

DUFP believes this is a crucial next step in receiving direct confirmation that the students will be guaranteed to study in the UK. It also advocates a fairer policy for all students, irrespective of financial barriers, to widen the government’s scope in providing educational opportunities.

The society is thrilled to see the Home Secretary’s responses to the campaign’s pressure. It believes these are serving as a reminder that the Foreign Office must “urgently arrange a viable plan for the safe passage of these students to reach the UK”.

This aligns with the plans of several other European countries – such as France, Spain and Italy – which involve visa-free entry, a two-step approval process through Israel, and government-set evacuee quotas.

All the ways Durham students can help

DUSP offered further guidance on how to directly push for the safe arrival of Omar, Omah Salah, Sana and Leen. These include signing the Gaza40’s petition to demand a biometric referral, and contacting senior leadership for confirmation in line with start dates.

The society also suggested emailing your local MP, and the MP for Durham City, Mary Foy, to express support for these demands.

DUSP also emphasised the need to continue circulating this issue to raise awareness, as talking is just the beginning.

The Home Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Featured image via Canva and @thegaza40 on Instagram