Court presses Israeli army on ban
Israel's High Court has urged the army to reconsider its denial of entry to a Palestinian woman who wants to study at an Israeli university.

The decision is testing Israel's restrictions on Palestinian travel that were tightened earlier this year.

A panel urged the state to liaise with the army to allow a 29-year-old student to start her doctoral studies.

The army has barred Sawsan Salameh from entering Israel, despite calls from the Hebrew University where she studies.

The student from Anata, a West Bank town just outside Jerusalem, was meant to start chemistry classes earlier this month.

Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch urged the Israeli authorities and Salameh's lawyers to reach a deal within seven days which she would review before a final ruling.

"We don't necessarily see a reason to deny entry on an individual basis," Beinisch told the court.

Travel restrictions on Palestinians entering Israel have tightened since the militant group Hamas formed a Palestinian government in March.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/6063776.stm

Published: 2006/10/18 18:27:49 GMT

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