The Fulbright scholarship program is a U.S. government funded international educational grant proposed in 1945 by then Senator J. William Fulbright. The Arkansas Senator believed that after World War II the program was a much needed vehicle for promoting "mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world." Fulbright grants are given to students both domestically and over seas for an assortment of educational purposes, including studies in foreign policy.

Earlier this spring all scholarships originally intended for Palestinian recipients located in the Gaza Strip had been “redirected” to other students because of the conflict in the area. Officials say that because the area is controlled by Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas, there was no clear telling whether or not the students would be able to leave Gaza. Individuals like thirty year-old Abdulrahman Abdullah on the other hand pleaded their case, saying that he absolutely needed to leave and pursue education.

“If we are talking about peace and mutual understanding, it means investing in people who will later contribute to Palestinian society,” he said. “I am against Hamas. Their acts and policies are wrong. Israel talks about a Palestinian state. But who will build that state if we can get no training?”

The scholarship had been granted to seven individuals in the area, one of which was Hadeel Abukwaik, a 23-year-old engineering software instructor in Gaza. Abukwaik had stayed in Gaza through the winter, passing an opportunity to escape to Egypt with her sister all because the Fulbright agency told her she had to stay put in order to receive the scholarship. Shocked by the initial readdressing of the grants, Abukwaik can now rest at ease and begin her schooling in the United States because all of the scholarships have been reinstated.

Senior American and Israeli officials were outraged when they heard of the grant cancellations, “If you cannot engage young people and give complete horizons to their expectations and their dreams, I don't know that there would be any future for Palestine” said secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

While the individuals who received the prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study abroad have been granted permission to leave the Gaza strip, there has been no acceleration in authorizing the remaining 600 plus Gazan students with slightly less impressive scholarships the opportunity to leave.

Groups like, Gisha, an Israeli organization that promotes free movement for Palestinians have been called to action to speak out for the trapped students, "Gisha calls on Israel to allow all Palestinian students accepted to universities abroad to exercise their right to leave Gaza and access education, in order to obtain the tools they need to build a better future in the region" said organization head, Sari Bashi.
7 out, 600 plus to go.