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Last update - 15:34 10/07/2008 Gaza Fulbright scholars meet U.S. visa officials, hoping to ease travel ban By Reuters Tags: U.S., Gaza, Fulbright, Israel Three Palestinian students hoping to take up prestigious scholarships to study in the United States despite an Israeli travel ban met U.S. consular officials on Thursday at the Israel-Gaza border for visa interviews. "We are still afraid we may not be able to travel to the United States because Israel is not giving us permits," said Fida Abed, one of the three Fulbright scholars. "The American embassy officials said they were continuing to discuss that with Israeli authorities and they were also looking at alternative crossings, such as Rafah," he said, referring to a passage between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Egypt. Advertisement Earlier this year, the U.S. government was embarrassed when it became pblic it had withdrawn Fulbright fellowships for seven Gaza students because Israel had not granted them exit permits from the blockaded territory. After media reports about the students' case, the United States restored the fellowships and formally asked Israel to allow them to leave the Gaza Strip. Israel subsequently let four of the seven students travel to the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem for visa interviews, but citing security concerns, denied permits to the other three. The three Israeli-banned students, whom U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last month should be allowed out of the Gaza Strip, met consular officials at the Erez border crossing. "Israeli authorities refused to allow us to enter Israel so the American employees came to us at the Erez crossing," said Abed, who hopes to study towards an advanced degree in computer science in California. He and the other two students were interviewed and fingerprinted as part of their visa applications, Abed said. Related articles: Israel eases exit restrictions for 4 of 7 Gaza Fulbright scholars U.S. consulate working to get exit visas for Gaza students Bookmark to del.icio.us   Photoshopped launch Did Iran doctor an image of its provocative missile test launch? 'Hitler was a good boss' Nazi bodyguard describes the fuhrer's last moments in a Berlin bunker.   1.   KEEP LETTING THE TERRORIST SUPPORTERS IN THIS COUNTRY;ALLOW THEM 18:46  |  glenna 10/07/08   2.   Travel through Egypt 21:40  |  Realist 10/07/08   3.   Great! (also #1) 21:58  |  KR 10/07/08   4.   One of the worst PR moves 00:30  |  Dave Duncan 11/07/08

Read & React Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch? Responses: 57 Hitler's bodyguard: The Fuhrer was a good boss Responses: 22 Police source: Anyone but Olmert would have been arrested by now Responses: 8 Ari Shavit: The real problem is America Responses: 1 H.A. Hellyer: Who speaks for Europe's Muslims? Send response Rosner's Domain Is the Arab love affair with Obama over? (WTR) On Iraq, Obama draws to the ground of reality Poll: The more religious the Jewish voter, the more pro-McCain Iran's bomb-building potential more than doubled (WTR) More Headlines 08:34 Police source: Anyone but Olmert would have been arrested by now 08:03 ANALYSIS / Olmert won't be able to recover from this interrogation 09:32 IDF officer, civilian wounded by Palestinian fire near Qalqilyah 08:52 Hezbollah swap set for Wed., barring last-minute changes 07:15 Defense officials: Renew diplomatic pressure on Syria as Hezbollah rearms 05:36 The latest trend in wedding presents: direct deposit 05:36 Hitler's bodyguard: The Fuhrer was a good boss 07:16 Winner of September Kadima primary will form new government 09:00 Arab state tells Israel it won't oppose Iran strike 01:07 French police file charges against 3 suspects in attack on Jewish teen 02:50 Ex-soccer star Revivo leaving Israel following underworld 'banishment' 06:49 Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch? Previous Editions Select Day 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun

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