Washington, DC Event on Palestinian Freedom to Study and Travel

Americans for Peace Now,
Project Engage,
Foundation for Middle East Peace,

Churches for Middle East Peace,

and J Street

invite you to a discussion with

Berlanty Azzam*
Student, Bethlehem University

Brother Jack Curran
Vice President for Development, Bethlehem University

Tania Hary
Director of International Relations, GISHA

The Right of Palestinians to Study and Travel

Wednesday February 3, 2010, 1:00-3:00pm
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1st Floor
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW | Washington, DC

* The Israeli authorities have not granted Ms. Azzam's request for an exit permit from Gaza. She will participate in the event through an audio connection.

Berlanty Azzam, a Palestinian from Gaza and a candidate for a business degree at the University of Bethlehem in the West Bank, was arrested and forcibly returned to Gaza by Israeli authorities in October 2009, two months before her graduation, on the grounds that Israel had banned travel of Gazans to the West Bank. With assistance from GISHA (Legal Center for Freedom of Movement), Ms. Azzam appealed to the Israeli High Court, explaining that she had received an Israeli permit to travel to the West Bank in 2005. The Court rejected her appeal, while stating that Ms. Azzam presented no security risk.

In December, 33 members of Congress wrote to Secretary of State Clinton, urging that the U.S. press Israel to stop denying access for Gazan students to the West Bank, noting limited opportunities in Gaza and U.S. support for higher education opportunities for Palestinians.

Sandwiches will be served.

To RSVP send an email to: info@fmep.org or call 202-835-3650.