Emergencies - Trapped in Gaza

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Trapped in Gaza

Hundreds of post graduate students from the Gaza Strip accepted to study abroad are unable to reach their universities because of the closure of the Strip imposed by Israel since June 2007

Give students in Gaza a chance to study

The campaign 'Give students in Gaza a chance to study' was recently launched by Oxfam partner, Gisha-Legal Center for the Freedom of Movement, and calls for Israel's government to allow all students from Gaza to reach their studies abroad.

Listen to the campaign's radio advert

The campaign joins initiatives of student groups, academic associations, peace and policy groups and human rights organisations from all over the world, who have petitioned Israeli decision-makers on behalf of the students trapped in Gaza. Senior foreign officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Quartet Special Envoy Tony Blair have already asked the government of Israel to let the students travel abroad. However, hundreds of Palestinian students remain trapped in Gaza and their academic deadlines are fast approaching.

With each passing day, Gaza's most talented young people risk losing their places in universities abroad – and losing their chance to pursue their dreams of building a better future in the region.

The policy of closure imposed on the Gaza Strip violates international humanitarian and human rights law, which explicitly recognise the right of the civilian population to freedom of movement and to access education, including higher education. Preventing students from reaching their studies also cripples the development of a thriving academic community and a stable civil society in Gaza.

Learn more about the campaign on the Trapped in Gaza website

Listen to the radio advert

Listen to an English translation of the radio advert. This advert was supposed to be aired on Israeli radios but it is currently banned by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

Trapped in Gaza radio advert

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View a transcript of the radio advert