Latest news with #Shaymaa
Scotsman
a day ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Swinney calls for 'urgent action' for students trapped in Gaza
The First Minister said he was 'appalled' by the situation Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... John Swinney has called on the UK Government to take urgent action to ensure students from Gaza can take their places in Scottish universities. The First Minister said he was 'appalled' by the situation the students are facing. A total of 78 Palestinians have fully-funded places on courses in the UK, including 10 in Scotland, but are unable to leave due to visa processing problems. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They include Shaymaa, a 32-year-old who is hoping to begin her English Literature PhD at Edinburgh University in September. First Minister John Swinney | PA 'Education is the path to the future,' she told the Sunday Mail. 'It is one of the few remaining pathways to survival and dignity for Palestinians right now. The UK has an opportunity to offer practical, life-saving solutions to students like me.' Shaymaa, who is only using her first name for safety reasons, urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to implement 'an emergency route for students and researchers from Gaza, including biometric deferral and safe passage, so we are not excluded from opportunities we have rightfully earned'. She added: 'Coming to Scotland wouldn't just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's not just about personal safety either. It would be a chance to reclaim a sense of direction, to write and think and teach without fearing for my life every second. It would allow me to begin healing and to carry the stories of Gaza into spaces where they urgently need to be heard.' Mr Swinney said: 'I am appalled at the situation the students from Gaza are facing. We must see urgent action from the UK Government to support them in taking up their university places in Scotland. 'The people of Gaza are already suffering unimaginably at the hands of the Israeli government – the idea that these students could also be denied the chance to take up the university places in Scotland they have worked so hard to attain is not acceptable to me. 'I am aware that other countries including France, Ireland and Italy have managed to successfully evacuate students, so the UK Government cannot simply duck its responsibilities here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Where there is a political will, a resolution can be found – and failure to act is quite literally putting these people's lives at risk. 'The Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has already written to the UK Government asking for urgent action to resolve this issue. 'I am clear that the international community must put a stop to Israel's killing in Gaza and that we must see the immediate recognition of a sovereign, independent Palestine. But until that point, the UK Government must do everything it can to ensure ordinary Gazans are not punished further. 'Scotland looks forward to welcoming students from Gaza seeking to take their places at our universities – the UK Government must do the right thing and do everything in its power to allow them to get here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has also been lobbying on the issue after being contacted by Edinburgh University.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Fix visa problems to allow Gaza students to study in Scotland
The Sunday Mail reports that Shaymaa, 32, who is using her first name due to safety concerns, is one of 10 Palestinians in Gaza who have been accepted onto fully-funded courses in Scotland. There are understood to be 78 Palestinians who have been accepted onto University courses in the UK. But, due to the only biometric processing centre in Gaza being closed – and all routes out of the country blocked by Israel - there is no way for the students to be allowed to complete the visa checks. READ MORE: Police Scotland 'breaching human rights to subdue Palestine protests' The UK requires visa applicants to provide fingerprints and photographs. The First Minister said he is 'appalled' that students are being prevented from reaching safety in Scotland. Edinburgh University and LibDem MP Christine Jardine have been lobbying the UK Government over the issue but fear time is running out as courses start in just a few weeks. Shaymaa is due to begin her PhD in English literature at Edinburgh University on September 1. She told the Sunday Mail: 'Education is the path to the future. It is one of the few remaining pathways to survival and dignity for Palestinians right now. 'The UK has an opportunity to offer practical, life-saving solutions to students like me. 'I urge him to implement an emergency route for students and researchers from Gaza, including biometric deferral and safe passage, so we are not excluded from opportunities we have rightfully earned.' Swinney said: 'I am appalled at the situation Shaymaa and other students from Gaza are facing. We must see urgent action from the UK Government to support them in taking up their university places in Scotland. 'The people of Gaza are already suffering unimaginably at the hands of the Israeli government – the idea that these students could also be denied the chance to take up the university places in Scotland they have worked so hard to attain is not acceptable to me.' The First Minister said Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth had contacted UK officials over the issue on August 13, and added that France, Ireland and Italy had managed to successfully evacuate students from Gaza. Gilruth has not yet received a reply, it is understood. 'The UK Government cannot simply duck its responsibilities here,' he added. 'Where there is a political will, a resolution can be found – and failure to act is literally putting these people's lives at risk. READ MORE: Alex Salmond's niece speaks out after Nicola Sturgeon memoir attacks 'I am clear that the international community must put a stop to Israel's killing in Gaza and that we must see the immediate recognition of a sovereign, independent Palestine. But until that point, the UK Government must do everything it can to ensure ordinary Gazans are not punished further.' Swinney said that the UK should do 'everything in its power' to get the students to safety. Earlier this month, 80 MPs signed an open letter to the Prime Minister urging him to take action to help the 78 students. SNP MP Pete Wishart, LibDem Wendy Chamberlain and Brian Leishman were among those who signed the letter. Shaymaa, originally from Absan al-Kabira, in the south of Gaza, was forced to flee her home when Israeli strikes started and has been displaced multiple times in the past 18 months. She is now living in a tent on a beach in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, with 11 others. 'Coming to Scotland wouldn't just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety,' she said. "It's not just about personal safety either. It would be a chance to reclaim a sense of direction, to write and think and teach without fearing for my life every second. It would allow me to begin healing and to carry the stories of Gaza into spaces where they urgently need to be heard.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'We are aware of these students and are actively considering how we can best support.'
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
John Swiney backs Palestinian woman in Gaza pleading for spot at Edinburgh University
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Palestinian woman who fears for her life in Gaza has appealed to Keir Starmer to help her take up a place at Edinburgh University. First Minister John Swinney has backed the 32-year-old's calls for the Prime Minister to open an emergency visa route and said he is 'appalled' students are being prevented from reaching safety in Scotland. Shaymaa, who is using only her first name due to safety concerns, is one of 10 Palestinians who have fully-funded courses in Scotland, out of 78 in total across the UK. However, they're stranded in Gaza and unable to leave due to visa processing problems, fearing for their lives every day and struggling to find basic shelter and food, reports the Sunday Mail. Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine and Edinburgh university have been lobbying the UK Government for months over the issue but fear time is running out as courses are due to start in a fortnight. (Image: Getty/Anadolu) Shaymaa is still hoping to begin her English Literature PhD at Edinburgh University on September 1. Speaking to the Sunday Mail from Gaza, the student and former lecturer issued a direct appeal to Starmer and said: 'Education is the path to the future. It is one of the few remaining pathways to survival and dignity for Palestinians right now. 'The UK has an opportunity to offer practical, life-saving solutions to students like me. 'I urge him to implement an emergency route for students and researchers from Gaza, including biometric deferral and safe passage, so we are not excluded from opportunities we have rightfully earned.' The UK government said students have to go through biometric processing – where their fingerprints and photos are recorded – to be considered for a visa. Normally, they would select their nearest processing centre but the facility in Gaza is closed and all routes out of the region are blocked due to the Israeli bombardment, leaving them with no way to complete the checks. (Image: Getty/Jack Guez) Swinney said: 'I am appalled at the situation Shaymaa and other students from Gaza are facing. We must see urgent action from the UK Gov-ernment to support them in taking up their university places in Scotland. 'The people of Gaza are already suffering unimaginably at the hands of the Israeli government – the idea that these students could also be denied the chance to take up the university places in Scotland they have worked so hard to attain is not acceptable to me.' The First Minister said education secretary Jenny Gilruth has contacted the UK Government calling for urgency over the issue, adding: 'I am aware other countries including France, Ireland and Italy have managed to successfully evacuate students, so the UK Government cannot simply duck its responsibilities here. Where there is a political will, a resolution can be found – and failure to act is literally putting these people's lives at risk. 'I am clear that the international community must put a stop to Israel's killing in Gaza and that we must see the immediate recognition of a sovereign, independent Palestine. But until that point, the UK Government must do everything it can to ensure ordinary Gazans are not punished further. (Image: Getty/ Ken Jack) 'Scotland looks forward to welcoming Shaymaa and the other students from Gaza seeking to take their places at our universities – the UK Government must do the right thing and do everything in its power to allow them to get here.' Earlier this month, around 80 MPs signed an open letter to Starmer urging him to take action to help the 78 students, including Shaymaa, get to the UK for their studies. A number of Scottish MPs joined the calls including Brian Leishman, Pete Wishart and Wendy Chamberlain. Shaymaa said the chance to study in Edinburgh wouldn't just further her education but would save her life. She said: 'Coming to Scotland wouldn't just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety. "It's not just about personal safety either. It would be a chance to reclaim a sense of direction, to write and think and teach without fearing for my life every second. It would allow me to begin healing and to carry the stories of Gaza into spaces where they urgently need to be heard.' Shaymaa was offered a fully-funded PhD at Edinburgh University in English Literature and said the opportunity would help 'build stronger academic bridges between Scotland, the UK, and Palestine' as well as advance her own education. She said: 'Studying in Scotland would give me the space, tools, and mentorship to develop that work further and to contribute meaningfully to the field of literature and build a lasting academic career. 'This isn't just a degree to me. It's a way to keep going, to hold on to my intellectual life and to honour everything that has been taken from us.' Originally from Abasan al-Kabira, east of the city of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, Shaymaa and her family were forced to flee when the bombings started and have been displaced multiple times in the last 18 months. Shaymaa is now living in a tent on a beach in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, with 11 others including her two sisters and their children. She said: 'The last we heard our house was severely damaged but we haven't been back. 'Now my face and hands are sunburnt and sweaty all the time. Daily life in Gaza is almost impossible to describe. There's little access to basic resources like clean water and food. 'Most days are spent trying to secure food, charge devices at solar points when possible, and stay safe amid ongoing bombings.' Edinburgh West MP Jardine said: 'When I was contacted by the University, I wrote to the Foreign Office to ask what they are doing to help students who have been offered places but, because they live in Gaza, are finding it impossible to complete the required UK immigration process to come here. 'Due process needs to happen but we should be doing everything in our power to make sure it's possible to get people out of a warzone.' A UK Government spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of these students and are actively considering how we can best support.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
John Swinney joins Gazan student and MP in plea to Keir Starmer over visa fiasco
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The PhD candidate is among dozens fo students with places to study in the UK but are being blocked by UK visa red tape A Palestinian woman who fears for her life in Gaza has pleaded with Keir Starmer to help her take up a place at Edinburgh University. John Swinney has backed the 32-year-old's calls for the Prime Minister to open an emergency visa route and said he is 'appalled' students are being prevented from reaching safety in Scotland. Shaymaa, who is using only her first name due to safety concerns, is one of 10 Palestinians who have fully-funded courses in Scotland, out of 78 in total across the UK. But they're stranded in Gaza and unable to leave due to visa processing problems, fearing for their lives every day and struggling to find basic shelter and food. Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine and Edinburgh university have been lobbying the UK Government for months over the issue but fear time is running out as courses are due to start in a fortnight. Shaymaa is still hoping to begin her English Literature PhD at Edinburgh University on September 1. Speaking to the Sunday Mail from Gaza, the student and former lecturer issued a direct appeal to Starmer and said: ' Education is the path to the future. It is one of the few remaining pathways to survival and dignity for Palestinians right now. 'The UK has an opportunity to offer practical, life-saving solutions to students like me. 'I urge him to implement an emergency route for students and researchers from Gaza, including biometric deferral and safe passage, so we are not excluded from opportunities we have rightfully earned.' The UK government said students have to go through biometric processing – where their fingerprints and photos are recorded – to be considered for a visa. Normally, they would select their nearest processing centre but the facility in Gaza is closed and all routes out of the region are blocked due to the Israeli bombardment, leaving them with no way to complete the checks. Swinney said: 'I am appalled at the situation Shaymaa and other students from Gaza are facing. We must see urgent action from the UK Gov-ernment to support them in taking up their university places in Scotland. 'The people of Gaza are already suffering unimaginably at the hands of the Israeli government – the idea that these students could also be denied the chance to take up the university places in Scotland they have worked so hard to attain is not acceptable to me.' The First Minister said education secretary Jenny Gilruth has contacted the UK Government calling for urgency over the issue, adding: 'I am aware other countries including France, Ireland and Italy have managed to successfully evacuate students, so the UK Government cannot simply duck its responsibilities here. Where there is a political will, a resolution can be found – and failure to act is literally putting these people's lives at risk. 'I am clear that the international community must put a stop to Israel's killing in Gaza and that we must see the immediate recognition of a sovereign, independent Palestine. But until that point, the UK Government must do everything it can to ensure ordinary Gazans are not punished further. 'Scotland looks forward to welcoming Shaymaa and the other students from Gaza seeking to take their places at our universities – the UK Government must do the right thing and do everything in its power to allow them to get here.' Earlier this month, around 80 MPs signed an open letter to Starmer urging him to take action to help the 78 students, including Shaymaa, get to the UK for their studies. A number of Scottish MPs joined the calls including Brian Leishman, Pete Wishart and Wendy Chamberlain. Shaymaa said the chance to study in Edinburgh wouldn't just further her education but would save her life. She said: 'Coming to Scotland wouldn't just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety. "It's not just about personal safety either. It would be a chance to reclaim a sense of direction, to write and think and teach without fearing for my life every second. It would allow me to begin healing and to carry the stories of Gaza into spaces where they urgently need to be heard.' Shaymaa was offered a fully-funded PhD at Edinburgh University in English Literature and said the opportunity would help 'build stronger academic bridges between Scotland, the UK, and Palestine' as well as advance her own education. She said: 'Studying in Scotland would give me the space, tools, and mentorship to develop that work further and to contribute meaningfully to the field of literature and build a lasting academic career. 'This isn't just a degree to me. It's a way to keep going, to hold on to my intellectual life and to honour everything that has been taken from us.' Originally from Abasan al-Kabira, east of the city of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, Shaymaa and her family were forced to flee when the bombings started and have been displaced multiple times in the last 18 months. Shaymaa is now living in a tent on a beach in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, with 11 others including her two sisters and their children. She said: 'The last we heard our house was severely damaged but we haven't been back. 'Now my face and hands are sunburnt and sweaty all the time. Daily life in Gaza is almost impossible to describe. There's little access to basic resources like clean water and food. 'Most days are spent trying to secure food, charge devices at solar points when possible, and stay safe amid ongoing bombings.' Edinburgh West MP Jardine said: 'When I was contacted by the University, I wrote to the Foreign Office to ask what they are doing to help students who have been offered places but, because they live in Gaza, are finding it impossible to complete the required UK immigration process to come here. 'Due process needs to happen but we should be doing everything in our power to make sure it's possible to get people out of a warzone.' A UK Government spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of these students and are actively considering how we can best support.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
