Protest calls for Palestinian students to get Irish visas

Hundreds gathered outside Ireland's Department of Justice on Wednesday, protesting the government's refusal to grant visas to Palestinian students seeking to pursue scholarships this academic year. Approximately 200 demonstrators voiced their opposition to the decision, which has impacted at least 31 of 59 Palestinian students who secured fully or partially funded scholarships at Irish third-level institutions.

“

These are students from Gaza who have demonstrated academic excellence, who have been awarded scholarships from universities and colleges across the country, fully funded in most cases by those universities and colleges, and yet have now been refused at the last minute by the Department of Justice.

The Universities of Sanctuary initiative, which supports asylum seekers and refugees in higher education, released figures last week showing the high rate of refusals. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik called the situation "shocking," criticizing the reasons given for the denials as "far too dismissive of the conditions and circumstances" faced by the students.

“

This is a shocking development, and the minister needs to conduct an urgent review.

Bacik highlighted that students from Gaza, despite demonstrating academic excellence and securing scholarships, were refused entry at the "last minute." She urged Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to conduct an urgent review, noting the "depth of feeling" and the public's desire to show solidarity with these students.

“

The numbers here today and the many more people who have contacted me show the depth of feeling - people feel passionately that we need to stand in solidarity with students from Gaza who want to come and study here.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration stated that all visa applications are evaluated individually, irrespective of nationality. The department confirmed that 41 student visas have been granted to Palestinian nationals in 2026 and that entry is processed through existing legal immigration pathways for all non-EU nationals.

“

In common with the position for all non-EU nationals, entry of Palestinian nationals is undertaken through the existing legal immigration pathways available.