Once again, following the start of the academic year at many institutions of higher education around the world, some 838 Palestinian students are still waiting to leave Gaza to study abroad.The students cannot leave due to the Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip and the rigid criteria for exit via the Erez and Rafah border crossings.
According to figures provided to Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement – by the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza, 1,983 students who have been accepted into educational institutions abroad have registered for permits to exit via the Rafah crossing since the start of the year, but only 1,145 students have managed to pass through the crossing. 69 additional students have left via Erez crossing.
“We make millions, but we are not educated,” said Imad, 29, [tunnel investor]…
“What’s the point of having so much money when you are not able to travel?” said Hazim, 23, another partner who started out digging tunnels. He said he wanted to go to Egypt, study business administration and then invest in Cairo.
“They have never seen beyond Gaza,” said Imad’s father-in-law, Abu Mohammed, 57, of the younger generation. “They think like they are in a tunnel,” he continued. “They have never seen malls or real supermarkets like I saw in Dubai.”
