Gazan student denied permission to finish degree in West Bank

"Israeli" military has been depriving Gazans from proceeding studies at Palestinian Universities in the West Bank.

According to Ma'an news agency, "Israeli" forces detained Gazan student of Bethlehem University Berlanty Azzam at the Container checkpoint north of Bethlehem on Wednesday, and continue to hold the fourth-year Business Administration student in custody.

"The "Israeli" Military authorities are holding this 4th year Christian student in the Sharon Detention Center near Netanya in "Israel" and are threatening to ‘deport her' to Gaza for trying to complete her studies at Bethlehem University," an appeal for help from Bethlehem University said.

Berlanty, born in Gaza, was sponsored by the University to study in the West Bank and has been living in Bethlehem since 2005, the university confirmed.

She received a travel permit from the military to cross from Gaza to the West Bank in 2005.

According to the university statement "The Israeli military has banned Palestinian residents of Gaza from studying at Palestinian universities in the West Bank."

The university appealed to concerned supporters and asked that they "demand that they release Berlanty Azzam immediately so that she can resume and complete her last year of studies at the Vatican-sponsored Bethlehem University."