Gaza scholars to study in U.S.

JERUSALEM, June 2 (UPI) -- Israel's closing of Gaza won't prevent seven Palestinian students from receiving Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States.

The seven received word Sunday night the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem is working with Israeli officials to secure exit permits so they can leave Gaza, The New York Times reports.

Maj. Peter Lerner of the Israeli Defense Ministry says the students will be granted the necessary permits once individual security checks have been completed.

Last week the students were told their scholarships were being "redirected" because of the closing of Gaza due to rocket and mortar fire directed at southern Israel by Hamas militants.

When word of the action reached U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, she offered to intervene.

"I am a huge supporter of Fulbrights," Rice said. "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."