Palestinian students have US scholarships withdrawn

NEW YORK - The United States has withdrawn Fulbright scholarship grants to Palestinian students in Gaza because Israel won't let them leave to pursue their studies, The New York Times reported Friday.

Students hoping to study advanced courses at U.S. colleges and universities this fall were advised of the decision by e-mail, the newspaper said.

Responses ranged from shock to disappointment to anger, the report said. This could be interpreted as collective punishment, complained the chairman of the parliament's education committee.