A DATE has been set for the UK Parliament to debate the creation of a family visa scheme for Palestinians.

The National previously campaigned for people to sign the petition so it would reach 100,000 signatures – at which point it would be considered for debate.

The petition was first started by the Gaza Families Reunited campaign, with the creation of the scheme supported by First Minister Humza Yousaf.

READ MORE: Roz Foyer: Scotland's support for Palestinians IS making a difference

In a post on social media, campaigners revealed Parliament will debate the petition on May 13.

The Gaza Families Reunited campaign said: “Watch this space for actions you can take ahead of the parliamentary debate on the petition for a family visa scheme, now scheduled for May 13.

“We urgently need a Gaza family scheme that would reunite and protect Palestinian families until return is safe.”

The National:

The petition is now closed and ended with a total of 103,834 signatures.

We also previously told how Scotland’s migration minister urged the UK Government to expand the number of Palestinian people who could join their families in the UK.

Emma Roddick penned a letter to UK minister Tom Pursglove and pushed for the Refugee Family Reunion scheme to include “immediate and extended family, including parents, children over 18, siblings and their children”.

The current system allows only for partners and children under 18 to join family in the UK.

A spokesperson for the UK Government previously said: “We are working around the clock to get British nationals, who want to leave, out of Gaza. We have a team on the ground in Cairo and at the Rafah crossing providing consular assistance.

“We currently have no plans to establish a separate route for Palestinians to come to the UK. However, any dependants of British citizens who need a visa, can apply for one.”