- Opinion
- 28 Aug 25
Tánaiste announces safe evacuation of 52 Gazan students to Ireland
"It's really important we find practical ways in which we can support people in Gaza and one of those ways is enabling some students to come from Gaza and study in Irish universities," the Tánaiste said.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced that 52 Palestinian students evacuated from Gaza are due to safely arrive in Ireland this week to study at Irish universities.
The first group of 26 is expected to arrive today, with the remaining students arriving between Friday and Sunday. All students have been offered scholarships by Irish education institutions to support their academic careers.
Though all students had applied and been accepted into various Irish universities on their own, today's announcement is the first official confirmation that they would successfully make it to Ireland.
"I know people right across our country feel so strongly about the horrors that are ongoing in Gaza, the genocidal situation, and I want you to know I share those views too," said Harris in a video statement posted on X today.
"It's really important we find practical ways in which we can support people in Gaza and one of those ways is enabling some students to come from Gaza and study in Irish universities."
Today we have secured safe evacuation for 52 Palestinians from Gaza to Ireland, beginning new studies at Irish universities.
Their arrival comes as Gaza faces catastrophic famine and rising civilian casualties. pic.twitter.com/3w2fUbzQgb
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 28, 2025
The students come from various parts of Gaza and travelled through Amman, Jordan and Istanbul, Turkey to get to Ireland.
The tentative travel process required securing official permission from Israeli government authorities to leave Gaza and travel through Israel, as well as permission to enter Jordan and Turkey.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took a major part in the operation, though it was a collaborative effort alongside Irish embassies and local authorities in Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Turkey.
Harris said the first group of students will immediately be taken to a medical facility for support and screaning upon their arrival in Dublin today. Afterwards, they will be met by representatives of the universities who will transport them to their arranged accommodations.
Since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, the Department of Foreign Affairs has reportedly helped over 200 people to evacuate Gaza and start new lives in Ireland.
