US working to allow Fulbright scholars to leave Gaza

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — The United States has convinced Israel to allow seven Fulbright scholars from the besieged Gaza Strip to travel to Jerusalem for visa interviews, an Israeli official said on Monday.

"There is still no change in policy. There has been a request resubmitted by the US and they are currently planning to allow them to go to the (US) consulate for the meetings," Major Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israeli military's Gaza coordination office, told AFP.

In a letter sent to the Gaza scholars whose grants were withdrawn last week because of Israeli restrictions on the isolated territory, the consulate said it was working on allowing the students to leave Gaza.

"The US Department of State is working to secure exit permits for you to travel to...