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Last update - 23:49 02/06/2008 Court slams gov't for preventing Gazan students from studying abroad By Reuters Tags: U.S., Fulbright scholarship  The Supreme Court on Monday criticized the government for preventing Palestinian students from leaving the Gaza Strip to study abroad and gave it two weeks to review its policy. The court heard a petition filed by a human rights group on behalf of two Palestinian students whose requests to leave Gaza to study in Britain and Germany have so far been rejected by Israel. On Friday, Washington pressed Israel to let seven Gaza Palestinians travel to the United States to study on coveted U.S. government Fulbright fellowships and Israel said it was working on the issue. Advertisement The U.S. said this week that it was reinstating its Fulbright grants to the seven Gazans after they had previously been withdrawn because of Israel's refusal to allow them out of the Strip. On Monday, the U.S. State Department said it had erred by not asking Israel sooner to help the seven Gazans leave. Palestinian human rights groups in Gaza said hundreds of students would miss deadlines to pursue studies at universities abroad if Israel did not relax its travel restrictions soon. The State Department said it approached the Israeli government on Friday, after The New York Times published a story about the case of the seven Fulbright students. After the story was published, William Burns, the third-ranking U.S. diplomat, approached the Israeli government to seek its help in obtaining exit permits for the seven. "Was there a faulty decision-making process internal to the State Department in this particular case? Yes, there was," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. Israel tightened its cordon around the Gaza Strip after Hamas Islamists took over the coastal enclave nearly a year ago and only a very small number of Palestinians, mainly humanitarian cases, are allowed to leave. Israel argues that its travel restrictions are designed to prevent suicide bombings or other attacks. A member of the three-justice panel said Israel's policy on the matter was harming "any chance of coexistence" between it and its neighbors in Gaza, home to some 1.5 million Palestinians. Related articles: U.S. consulate working to get exit visas for Gaza students Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slamming Obama McCain uses speech to AIPAC to criticize Obama for willingness to meet U.S. foes. Soldier kidnapping Three Israeli Arabs charged with planning to kidnap, kill soldier.   1.   Thanks to the media 18:41  |  Observer 02/06/08   2.   Observer#1 - it actually shows more of the US govt than Israel`s 19:00  |  William 02/06/08   3.   The Real Question is... 19:21  |  Leor 02/06/08   4.   The NYT useful! Who knew? 19:40  |  Aphemia 02/06/08   5.   Stupid decision, no sechel 19:40  |  David 02/06/08   6.   #3 Leor 20:33  |  Cool B 02/06/08   7.   Another question 20:56  |  Maki 02/06/08   8.   Cool B Rocking the Ignorance 21:05  |  Cool A 02/06/08   9.   #5 According to the Story... 21:09  |  JP 02/06/08   10.   Another reason why blockading Israeli institution is moral 21:14  |  British Academic 02/06/08   11.   Another question 21:32  |  Maki 02/06/08   12.   Regev`s monstrous hypocrisy 21:35  |  Sylvie 02/06/08   13.   This Story Proves That Exposing Israeli Actions Can Effect Change 22:39  |  Johan Odin 02/06/08   14.   Why blame Israel? 22:53  |  Cadoor 02/06/08   15.   What a joke! 23:29  |  Axel 02/06/08   16.   re William #2 `Observer` 23:34  |  Colin Wright 02/06/08   17.   One Big PR Stunt 23:46  |  PK 02/06/08   18.   israel has no resposibilitiy for gazan arabs 00:15  |  david 03/06/08   19.   The facts of this story 00:54  |  Ramzi, a Palestinian 03/06/08   20.   Time to rein in the courts 01:04  |  Gee 03/06/08   21.   Israeli court wrecking chances for coexistence 01:13  |  Absolute Sweden 03/06/08   22.   This is only the tip of the iceberg 02:07  |  Ben Alofs 03/06/08   23.   #14 Cadoor sticks his head in the sand 02:31  |  Johnboy 03/06/08   24.   #15 David`s ability to stick his head in the sand 02:38  |  Johnboy 03/06/08   25.   #16 Absolute Sweden advocates..... 02:46  |  Johnboy 03/06/08

Read & React MK Avital: Israel should renounce Hagee, his ilk Responses: 1 Shin Bet detains Physicians for Human Rights official Responses: 13 Housing Min.: Olmert backed move to build new homes in E. J'lem Responses: 96 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded Rwanda youth village Responses: 8 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture by Israel Responses: 33 Egypt tries to thwart EU pact to upgrade Israel trade ties Responses: 44 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? McCain's real enemy: Iran or Obama? (WTR) Poll: What political option is better for Israel? The ultimate challenge for Pastor Hagee McCain's Defense Sec(?) isn't sure about recognizing Israel (WTR) More Headlines 09:29 With eye on PM job, Mofaz parlays with Shas to avoid early elections 09:26 Olmert heads to U.S. with focus on defense ties, thwarting Iran 09:45 Housing Minister: Olmert backed decision to build new homes in East Jerusalem 02:39 Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe 03:52 Physicians for Human Rights official detained by Shin Bet 09:30 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded youth village in Rwanda 09:50 Former neo-Nazis from Sweden visit Yad Vashem 08:10 Gal-On bill would jail 'online brothel managers' for 5 years 01:57 With primary in sight, Kadima chiefs scurry to drum up support 02:16 Doctors identify three IDF soldiers among remains handed over by Hezbollah 02:49 In about-face, government may open doors to Falashmura immigration 05:53 Anti-Semitic incidents in Canada hit record high in 2007 20:19 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture in Israeli detention Previous Editions Select Day 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may

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