CAMPAIGNERS are urging people to get a petition calling for a UK family visa scheme for Palestinians to 100,000 signatures in the next 10 days.
The Gaza Families Reunited petition has already gathered almost 74,000 supporters and signatures are going up every minute, but 100,000 is the milestone that must be reached over the coming week and a half in order for the issue to be considered for debate in the UK Parliament.
The campaign is calling on the UK Government to create a scheme – building on the Ukraine Family Scheme – that would allow Palestinians affected by the crisis in Gaza to seek refuge and reunite with their families in the UK.
By implementing this visa scheme, the Government “can demonstrate its commitment to compassion, inclusivity, and supporting those who have endured the hardships of war”, Gaza Families Reunited has said.
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First Minister Humza Yousaf backed the campaign last month saying that for those who do wish to leave Gaza, Scotland “is open and stands ready to welcome them”.
The campaign has posted on Twitter/X: "We’ve got 10 days to get the petition to 100k signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament. We can do this!
"We need a Gaza Family Scheme that would reunite families and offer sanctuary until it is safe to return."
SNP MP Anne McLaughlin, who hosted Gaza Families Reunited at Westminster recently, shared the petition saying: “Can you really watch what is happening to people in Gaza, knowing they have family members here and NOT sign this petition?
“Please support this campaign. I have met the organisers, they are desperate to save their loved ones’ lives so they can return and rebuild Gaza one day.”
The campaign posted a video on Monday of Palestinians from Gaza involved in the plea making a direct call to the UK Government for their families to be able to have temporary sanctuary in Britain.
Campaigners said in the clip: “Our families have the right to live in our homeland, in freedom and dignity, but we are extremely concerned for their safety.
“As we continue appealing for an immediate ceasefire without success, we urgently call on you to create a Gaza Family Scheme."
🚨 An urgent message from Palestinians from Gaza who live in the UK
— Gaza Families Reunited (@GazaFamReunited) April 8, 2024
Support their call for a Gaza Family Scheme that would reunite them with their loved ones & offer sanctuary until it’s safe to return. ✍️ Sign the urgent petition (closes 18 April): https://t.co/5tkSGez7Dg pic.twitter.com/f4MGaOOmbN
It goes on: “Two years ago, you swiftly introduced the Ukraine Family Scheme to protect Ukrainian families. We are simply asking for the same protection for our families.
“We are 350 Palestinian families living, working and studying in the UK. For months, we have been trying to reunite with our loved ones.
“We have lost so many precious lives and we don’t want to lose any more. The Gaza Family Scheme is an urgent matter of life or death.”
The UK Government said in December it has “no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region”.
The campaign has also sent a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly signed by around 60 organisations and law firms calling for the introduction of a visa scheme.
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The letter says “existing immigration routes are insufficient and not working” and describes how a Gaza family scheme would “enable Palestinians in Gaza to reunite with their immediate and extended family members in the UK”.
Anyone who is a UK resident or citizen can sign the petition here.
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