The justice minister, Jim O’Callaghan, has been put on notice of potential legal action regarding the refusal of study visas to students from Gaza who have secured full scholarships at Irish universities.

It is understood that 31 out of 59 Palestinian students who applied for study visas have been turned down. It was reported by RTÉ News in July that sources within universities were noting a much higher refusal rate than last year.

The basis for the various refusals relates to the inability of each of the students to obtain documentary evidence, which the State says is required to obtain the visa in question. The requirement for original documentary evidence is, however, impossible for those students from Gaza due to the current conditions in the strip.  

The minister has until Thursday 20th August to respond, or proceedings will be issued in the High Court in Dublin seeking a judicial review of the current structure.

Alannah Faulkner of Phoenix Law who is instructed in the challenge for the students said: “It is not only unjust, but in our view unlawful, to refuse the Gaza students from taking up their scholarships in Ireland based upon documentary requirements that the State know they simply cannot fulfil. These examples include stark requests such as for original bank statements in circumstances in which the bank is now merely rubble in Gaza.

Insult is further added to injury in circumstances in which the State are stipulating that the students can only submit their documents by postal service, in circumstances in which there no longer exists a functioning postal administration in Gaza.

These requirements are imposing impossible obstacles in the way of our clients from accessing further education at a time in which they and their families seek to protect themselves from the ongoing genocide. The Irish State should be interjecting with a bridge of hope and education, not imposing insurmountable hurdles which will restrict the students from Gaza from a future of hope and education.”