Gaza Fulbright grant restored

WASHINGTON: The US has reinstated Fulbright grants that had been withdrawn from Palestinian students because Israel wouldn’t let them leave Gaza, officials said.

Students hoping to pursue advanced degrees at US colleges and universities this fall had been advised by e-mail Thursday that the scholarship grants were being withdrawn, but the US State Department Sunday notified seven Fulbright recipients the decision had been reversed, The New York Times said.

Israel has isolated the Gaza coastal strip, which is run by the militant group Hamas. The US consulate in Jerusalem said that, given the policy, the grant money had been “redirected” to students elsewhere. The consulate informed the students Sunday it was working with Israeli officials to secure permits that would allow them to leave Gaza, the Times said.

An Israeli defence official said the students would receive permits after undergoing individual security checks.