U.S. Reinstates 7 Fulbright Grants to Students in Gaza, Future of Other Students Accepted Abroad Uncertain

Published 13 June 08 02:45 PM | Student Loan Girl

The U.S. Department of State recently reinstated seven Fulbright Grants awarded to Palestinian students after withdrawing the awards when the students were denied permission to leave Gaza, according to an article in the Jerusalem Post (“State Tells Court It May Allow Study Abroad,” June 2, 2008).

Israel has imposed a travel ban on all Palestinian residents of Gaza for security reasons following attacks by the militant anti-Israeli group Hamas. However, now the U.S. government is assuring the Fulbright scholars that the American Consulate in Jerusalem is working closely with Israeli officials to ensure that the students obtain their proper exit permits.

The ban on Palestinians leaving the region “is part of a policy of closure and collective punishment that is trapping 1.5 million civilians,” said Sari Bashi, director of Gisha, a non-profit organization in Israel that facilitates the free movement of Palestinians.

But just last week, the education committee of Israel’s Parliament met to consider further student movement out of Gaza, with many members commenting that they were horrified by the policy that keeps students from leaving the area. The committee petitioned Israel’s Defense Ministry to revisit its policy and to report back in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, only the seven Fulbright scholars are permitted to travel out of Gaza. Unlike Fulbright recipient Abdulrahman Abdullah, who told the New York Times that he can’t “be truly happy until the 600 or so Gazans with grants to study abroad also get out,” the remaining Gaza students who have been granted acceptance to schools outside the region face an uncertain fate regarding their education (“State Dept. Reinstates Gaza Fulbright Grants,” June 2, 2008).

Bashi said that while her organization supports the decision to let the seven Fulbright recipients leave, “Gisha calls on Israel to allow all Palestinian students accepted to universities abroad to exercise their right to leave Gaza and access education, in order to obtain the tools they need to build a better future in the region.”