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Three Palestinian Fulbright scholars directly appealed to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday to reissue their entry visas to the US. The Palestinian students at the center of diplomatic tensions between Israel and the U.S. were recently deemed “security threats.” Neither Israeli nor U.S. officials have commented as to the nature of the “new information,” cited in the cancellation of the students’ visas. The Fulbright scholars are three of an original group of seven who were not permitted to leave Gaza in May for interviews relating to their studies abroad. Condoleezza Rice personally intervened, enabling them to obtain interviews and visas. But those visas were then canceled two days later. The travel restrictions on the people of Gaza have been highlighted by the troubles of these three young scholars. For more than 2 years now, Gaza has been dramatically targeted by Israel. All outside aid has been cut off while sanctions and an economic embargo is in effect. The elected government has been isolated, along with increased Israeli repression, including killings, targeted assassinations, arrests, and property destruction. Last June Israel placed Gaza under a harsh siege which continues today. Now, a group of outside activists are attempting to break that siege by sea. Members of the Free Gaza Movement whom you heard on Uprising in June, have already boarded two ships named “Free Gaza,” and “Liberty,” headed to the Palestinian territory from Cyprus in spite of Israel’s naval blockade.

GUEST: Laila El Haddad, a journalist based in the US and Gaza, her blog is a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot.com. . For more information about the Free Gaza Movement visit www.freegaza.com.