A PALESTINIAN student in Scotland has urged the British government to launch a Palestine refugee initiative similar to the Ukraine family scheme.

Mahmoud Almassri, 31, moved to Edinburgh in 2021 to study physics at Heriot-Watt University in the Scottish capital.

Since October 7 last year he has been trying to bring his 58-year-old father, 53-year-old mother, his four brothers and three sisters to Britain to seek refuge.

He said his relatives feel despair as they grow increasingly less optimistic about the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Calling for a Ukraine-style visa for Palestinians, he said: “Even if you have a residence permit in the UK … you cannot leave Gaza: you are basically in prison.

“I believe there should be a scheme … it is about helping people to escape death.”

The Ukraine visa scheme, which closed on February 19, allowed Ukrainian nationals to join family members or extend their stay in Britain; there is no equivalent for Palestinians.

The Home Office said: “We are keeping all existing pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.

“Palestinians who wish to join family members in the UK must do so via the existing range of routes available.”