UK lawmakers are currently engaged in a heated debate in Westminster Hall regarding the establishment of a Gaza Family Scheme. This scheme aims to facilitate the reunion of Palestinians in Gaza with their family members in the UK amidst ongoing conflict and bureaucratic hurdles. The debate highlights the 'Orwellian Catch-22' faced by Gazans who cannot leave due to biometric enrolment requirements, which are impossible to meet within Gaza as the local visa application center is closed. MPs, including Caroline Lucas and George Galloway, have voiced strong support for the scheme, comparing the urgency to past initiatives for Ukrainians and others, and urging the government to act swiftly to prevent further humanitarian crises.
Today in Parliament, I again raised the ongoing plight of Gazans facing the death and destruction and the lack of response from our Government. We, rightly, gave Ukrainians refuge here, I ask the Government why not those in Gaza? What is the difference? https://t.co/akFr8903lf
GALLOWAY ON GAZA AGAIN: NEW Today George Galloway MP spoke in the House of Commons debate in the Westminster Hall on visas for Palestinians. Monday 13 May 2024 @WorkersPartyGB #Gaza #Palestine #Genocide #Israel #Rochdale https://t.co/6kMbnlMVcO
I spoke in a debate today about the terrible situation facing those trying to reach safety from the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The UK Government must give far greater thought to the practical situation facing those on the ground, as well as push for an immediate ceasefire. https://t.co/y7dtD8vhxU
Building upon the precedent set by the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and other nationality-specific programmes, the UK Government has an opportunity to extend compassion and solidarity towards the people of Palestine. During today's debate, I urged them to do so - we need action now. https://t.co/S0ob4jdDGl
Some of the innocents at terrible risk in Gaza may be eligible to come to safety in the UK through family reunion routes. Some may even have died while waiting due to bureaucratic errors & unnecessary barriers. Today I asked the Minister what Govt is doing to rapidly stop this. https://t.co/cV6JXypNaM
Today in Parliament I called for the creation of a Palestinian family visa scheme. This should bring Palestinian refugees to safety in the UK through a new safe and legal route, and reunite families desperate for their loved ones to reach safety. https://t.co/eJyUeiNz2Q
.@hammersmithandy highlighting that Palestinians, to a greater extent even compared to other nationalities, want to stay in and return to their homeland Watch the Gaza Family Scheme debate live here: https://t.co/y6hDf5loar
In this afternoon's Westminster Hall debate on Family Reunion Visas for Gaza, I questioned why ministers have told me that policy "must be considered in the round, rather than on a crisis-by-crisis basis" after bespoke schemes for Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Ukraine. https://t.co/36CiRPoSLZ
MPs debate UK visas for Palestinians fleeing Gaza https://t.co/RgCLu90ZXP
People in Gaza are caught in a sickening Catch 22: can't leave Gaza unless they enrol their biometrics & can't do that in Gaza. Govt urgently needs to set up a family reunion scheme for Gaza as they did for Ukraine @GazaFamReunited @ZoeJardiniere @refugeecouncil @safepassageuk https://t.co/b3qTMbmaV0
I am at the Westminster Hall debate on visas to the UK for Gazans. Hope to the opportunity to speak in the debate which is very well attended.
.@TulipSiddiq rightfully highlighting that the Government's advice for Palestinians seeking to reunite with loved ones "is completely unrealistic" - access to alternative visa application centres in Palestine or Egypt are not available while the centre in Gaza is closed
Thank you @joannaccherry and @stephenctimms for highlighting how the requirement for Palestinians in Gaza to submit biometrics is 'baffling' There is no functioning visa application centre in Gaza to do so, and Palestinians in Gaza are stuck in a catch-22 as a result
Left the delegated legislation to try to join the debate on lack of visa scheme for Palestinians and it’s packed so can’t get into speak but clearly powerful speeches being made as to why the government should act. Hope ministers finally listen.
Seldom have so many Friends of Israel come together under one roof to demand aid for Palestinians being slaughtered by Israel than are currently in this Westminster Hall debate on Visas for #Gaza. There must be an election in the offing...
I'm currently in a packed debate in Westminster Hall on a Visa Scheme for Palestinians trapped in #Gaza with family members in the UK. All so far demanding equal treatment for Palestinians and Ukrainians.
.@CatSmithMP highlighting that Westminster Hall is very full for the debate today. We thank all MPs who are attending and supporting a Gaza Family Scheme. Watch live here: https://t.co/y6hDf5loar
Thank you @CarolineLucas for highlighting the 'sickening, Orwellian catch-22' that Palestinians in Gaza face when trying to reunite with family in the UK. Watch the debate on a Gaza Family Scheme here: https://t.co/y6hDf5loar
I’ll be there - it’s simply unconscionable that so many in Gaza are caught in an Orwellian Catch 22: they can’t enrol their biometrics because they can’t leave Gaza and they can’t leave Gaza because they can’t enrol their biometrics - we need a family reunion scheme *now* https://t.co/dMwlBo0d0X
As we continue to call for a ceasefire, urge the government to create a Gaza Family Scheme to enable Palestinians to reunite with their loved ones until it is safe to return. Write to your MP using @PSCupdates @GazaFamReunited action: https://t.co/IH36hBTqi1