The Bseisu Foundation attends parliamentary reception on the Future of UK–Palestine relations
On Monday 29 June, The Bseisu Foundation was honoured to attend the parliamentary reception, "The Future of Palestine: Strengthening UK–Palestine Relations," at the House of Commons. The event brought together senior parliamentarians, ministers and representatives of the Palestinian community, including the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, the Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer MP, and H.E. the Palestinian Ambassador Dr Husam Zomlot.
The reception provided an important opportunity for parliamentarians to engage directly with Palestinian students supported by The Bseisu Foundation and to hear first-hand about both the challenges they have faced and the opportunities that access to higher education can create.
The Foundation was represented by Co-Founder and CEO Amjad Bseisu and Executive Director Jezerca Tigani, alongside six Palestinian scholars. Five of these students were evacuated from Gaza last year to begin postgraduate studies at universities across London.
During the reception, ministers and parliamentarians recognised the resilience, determination and academic excellence of Palestinian students. H.E. Dr Husam Zomlot spoke of the immense talent and potential that exists across Palestine, describing the students as symbols of hope and a prosperous future for the region.
For the scholars themselves, the event provided a meaningful platform to share their experiences, advocate for greater educational access, and express hope that many more Palestinian students will be able to pursue higher education in safety.
Among those attending was Mohammed Altalla, a doctor from Gaza who qualified just two months before the events of October 2023. He went on to serve in hospitals operating under extraordinary pressure, facing critical shortages of medicine, equipment, electricity and essential supplies. Through a Bseisu Foundation scholarship, Mohammed is now studying for an MSc in Cancer Research in the UK, with the ambition of becoming a surgeon and contributing to advances in cancer treatment. His journey reflects not only the immense challenges faced by Palestinian students, but also their determination to continue learning, serving their communities and building a better future.
While securing scholarships and university places represented a significant achievement, reaching the UK proved equally challenging. The evacuation of students from Gaza required sustained collaboration between universities, charities, international partners and the UK Government. Last year, considerable advocacy was needed to establish a pathway for students to travel safely and begin their studies.
The Bseisu Foundation welcomes the Government's recent press statement and the accompanying statement by the Foreign Office, both of which indicate that a comprehensive, operational policy for student evacuations will be published shortly.
With the 2026/27 academic year fast approaching, the Foundation's next cohort of scholars—and many other Palestinian students holding offers from UK universities—remain unable to plan with certainty. Many are due to begin their courses in less than two months. A clear strategy for their safe evacuation is now urgently needed, and we remain committed to working closely with our partners and parliamentarians to support students from Palestine.
Further coverage
Seema Malhotra MP: https://x.com/SeemaMalhotra1/status/2071719227128488444
Lucy Powell MP: https://x.com/LucyMPowell/status/2071688124359471386