Deported BU student to receive degree in Gaza

Ma'an
Finishing her classes over the phone and e-mail, Berlanty Azzam, pulled out of a car, handcuffed, blindfolded and deported from the West Bank to Gaza in October, will be awarded her degree on Sunday, officials from Bethlehem University announced.

In a statement issued Saturday, the university said a Sunday mass in Gaza's Church of the Holy Family would be held to honor Berlanty,21, and confer on her a Bachelor of Arts degree. The student was denied permission by Israeli courts to return to Bethlehem to complete her degree.

A court battle saw Israeli rights group Gisha defend the young woman. The appeal was rejected despite the Israeli army's admission that Berlanty posed no security threat to Israel........

Curran said the letter-writing campaign from BU supporters activated during Berlanty's trial would be continued, with university staff encouraging donors, visitors and international figures to register their objection to the Israeli policy and help get the students admitted to the university permission to leave Gaza.

"We are trying to keep the positive momentum going," Curran said, "we want to help realize students' right to freedom of education." Full story