Opinion
30 Jul 26

Protest against Gaza student visa refusals to take place in Dublin

IPSC's emergency protest in solidarity with Palestine outside Leinster House in Dublin on October 2, 2025. Photo: Chloe Craft

Clarissa Jett

The demonstration will be held outside the Department of Justice on Friday morning following concerns over the refusal of study visas for Palestinian students from Gaza.

A protest against Gaza student visa refusals is set to take place outside the Department of Justice building in Dublin Friday, July 31 at 11 am.

The demonstration follows an RTÉ News investigation which found that more than 20 Gazan students accepted onto fully funded scholarships at Irish third-level institutions have had their visa applications refused, while others are still awaiting decisions.

The Department of Justice told RTÉ that by June of this year it had recieved 69 applications from Palestinian nationals worldwide and only nine had been granted and 27 refused.

Universities and organisations supporting the students have raised concerns over the high refusal rate, which marks a significant change from last year, when more than 80 Gazan students were granted visas and evacuated to Ireland through a Government-organised initiative.

According to RTÉ News, refusal letters cited reasons including gaps in applicants' education, a lack of original bank statements and insufficient evidence that they would return home after completing their studies. Sources working with the students said such requirements are virtually impossible to meet given the destruction of infrastructure and public services in Gaza. The report also noted that the appeals process requires original documents to be submitted by post, despite there being no internationally recognised postal service operating in Gaza.

Announcing Friday's protest in an Instagram post, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) said: "It is shameful that the Department of Justice has refused the visas for these Palestinian students in Gaza."

"The outrageous reasons given defy belief, they include 'gaps in education' and 'insufficient documentation'. Incredible. And worse, the conditions for appeal are actually impossible."

The protest will begin at 11am outside the Department of Justice on Burgh Quay. Supporting organisations include People Before Profit, Bray Council of Trade Unions, AMLÉ: Ireland's Student Movement, Pals for Palestine and North Wicklow Against Genocide.