State prosecution waives entry ban on Palestinian PhD student

Israel announced on Thursday its decision to waive an entry ban imposed by security forces on a Palestinian woman studying for a PhD in chemistry at Jerusalem's Hebrew University.

The state prosecution said Sawsan Salameh will be permitted to stay in Israel for a period of up to six months a year to complete her degree. Furthermore, it agreed to rescind any travel restrictions applied to her or other Palestinian students enrolled in Israeli universities.

In response, the human rights organization that represents Salameh, Gisha, said on Thursday that the six month period was insufficient as her program requires regular attendance and participation in classes over years. It added that it would petition the High Court of Justice to extend her permit.

Salameh, a resident of the village of Anata east of Jerusalem, is unable to study for a PhD in the West Bank, as no academic institution offers a doctoral program in chemistry.

Last week, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities issued a statement calling on the government to "refrain from implementing any sweeping restrictions infringing on the ability of researchers and students, be they Palestinians or others, to fulfill their academic requirements and carry out their scientific work."

	Sawsan Salameh. (Archive)