US Consulate in Jerusalem tells Gaza students it's working to get them out

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The US Consulate in Jerusalem is working to get seven Gaza students out of the blockaded territory to pursue their Fulbright scholarship studies, the human rights group Gisha said Sunday. Gisha gave The Associated Press a copy of a message sent to all seven students by the consulate on Sunday. It said US officials are trying to get exit permits for the seven, bring them to east Jerusalem and get them visas for the US. Then they could continue their studies. "We are working very closely with the Government of Israel in order to secure its cooperation in this matter," the message read. Consulate officials had no immediate comment. Gisha director Sari Bashi welcomed the pledge of the consulate to help. Gisha "calls on Israel to allow all students with scholarships trapped in Gaza to leave and study abroad," she told the AP. On Thursday the students were informed that their scholarships would be canceled because the students couldn't get out of Gaza.