Arrival in Italy of a new group of Palestinian students

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has monitored the departure from Gaza of a further 17 Palestinian students via the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Following the issuance of visas and travel documents, the group reached the Allenby Bridge border crossing, on the border with Jordan, and subsequently continued on to Amman. The students spent the night at the Italian Hospital in Amman. The group is expected to arrive in Rome this afternoon. The students will undertake study programmes in Italy: nine will attend AFAM institutions (Higher Education in Arts, Music and Dance), while eight will continue their academic studies at Italian universities.

This initiative is part of the action promoted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani in support of Palestinian students, which has already enabled the arrival in Italy of 229 Palestinian students since last autumn. This is the second departure of students from Gaza following months of suspension due to the renewed escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The previous arrival took place on 12 May, when Minister Tajani welcomed 59 students at Rome Fiumicino Airport. The operation was carried out in coordination with the authorities of the countries involved in transit.