The High Court of Justice this week upheld a ban on students from the Gaza Strip studying at universities in Israel.

The ruling was in response to a petition filed by the nonprofit organization Gisha on behalf of Gaza resident Wisam Madhoon, who would like to enroll in a Ph.D. program in environmental science at Tel Aviv University. It essentially accepted the state's position that Gaza residents have no inherent right to study in Israel, and that there
are good diplomatic and security reasons for barring them.

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Madhoon had asked the army for permission to travel to the university for an interview. His request was supported by the head of the department of environmental science. However, the defense establishment rejected the request, even though it did not claim that Madhoon's entry into Israel would constitute a security threat.

Madhoon, 28, holds a master's in environmental engineering from a university in Malaysia. His research focused on the environmental impact of projects to reduce air pollution. He is currently working for a development organization in the Gaza Strip and would like to continue his studies.

"Studying at Tel Aviv University is my only chance to advance as a researcher in the field of environmental science," Madhoon said in a telephone interview from Gaza, explaining that there are no Ph.D. programs in this field in Gaza or the West Bank. He is unable to travel abroad because of financial constraints.

The policy that prevents Gaza residents from studying in Israel is "neither fair nor smart," he added. "It would be an opportunity to forge human and academic ties in order to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians."

Currently, Israel forbids Gaza residents from entering Israel except "in special humanitarian cases." However, in 2006, some 3,000 to 4,000 entry permits were granted, for medical treatment, work, business and family reasons.