So what’s the worst part of living under occupation.  Hmmm….denial of basic human rights, home demolition, false imprisonment, torture, having your family killed, being denied water and electricity, general unbearable living conditions, the list goes on…..well now let’s add another reason:

RECEIVING A PRESTIGIOUS FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP AND BEING SENT AN EMAIL THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP IS BEING WITHDRAWN DUE TO ISRAEL REFUSING TO GRANT EXIT VISAS TO THE RECIPIENTS.

The Fulbright scholarship was founded by US Senator Fulbright in the aftermath of WWII and is a program allowing for international exchanges and promoting peace and understanding with regards to educational exchanges for grad students, scholars, educators, etc.  It is considered to be one of the most prestigious of programs and operates in nearly 150 countries.

Eight Palestinians in Gaza recently had their scholarships withdrawn because they live under occupation in the Gaza Strip and Israel is refusing to grant them visas to go abroad to study.  How unfortunate that the mission of this scholarship is being trampled upon by the inherent racism which is so deeply rooted in the Israeli government.  Consider that these students have gone through so much to receive this award to include learning a second language.  The State Department has gotten involved and they were advised to reapply for the program next year.  These are individuals living in a huge “prison” due to the occupation and have no ordinary means of surviving due to Israel’s attempt to starve the population of Gazans to death.  What does the State Department have to do with the scholarship anyways.

If the State Department is to get involved, maybe they should put pressure on the government they are supporting to grant the visas. How ridiculous that the US has no power or influence in this matter when we provide billions of dollars of grant money to support Israel’s terroristic policies?  Supposedly this issue is going to be revisited.  Let’s hope the proper decision is made and these students are given the opportunity they have rightfully earned.