My name Said Ahmad Said Al-Madhoun, 29 years old single man, living in Gaza Strip, Palestine. I am the student, and a graduate of the faculty of Law at Al Azhar University in Gaza, and a holder of a Diploma in Business (University of Cambridge, UK).
I have been accepted to receive a fellowship by the Open Society Institute (OSI) to pursue an LLM (Master of Laws) in January 2007. Later, in March 2007, I was accepted at the American University – Washington College of Law, where the study was scheduled to begin in August 2007.
Following the brutal clashes and Hamas control in Gaza Strip in June 2007, I was not able to attend an interview at the U.S Consulate in Jerusalem to obtain a visa because of the Israeli closure. As was the case with many students, I have knocked on all the doors. I approached the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), UNRWA and other international organizations but it did not work out. I approached Gisha (Legal Center for Freedom of Movement), and they were willing to help, but unfortunately, the Israeli authorities continued to refuse students exit visas from Gaza. In normal conditions and before the siege on Gaza Strip, Gazans were using Rafah border Crossing in and out of Gaza to the world. However, as the Israeli authorities sealed Rafah crossing, our sole access to the world has been blocked; Gaza Strip became the biggest open-air prison in the world.
I wrote a letter to Mr. President Abbass seeking help with regard to the coordination handled by the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs. A shuttle arrangement has been carried out where passengers from Gaza cross Erez - Kerem shalom crossings and then to the Egyptian borders. However, I could not exit in September 2007 because the study began a month prior to that (in August). Therefore, the University agreed to defer my application so that I can start in spring term that would begin in early January 2008. I was optimistic; the OSI was still committed to funding my studies that I would begin in January.
In late November 2007, I was informed that I had been approved to appear at the U.S consulate in Jerusalem. Three weeks later, I heard that the Israeli authorities had revoked my permit to go to the U. S. consulate.
However, I did not give up. In December, I succeeded in obtaining permission to exit Gaza via Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings into the Egyptian borders through the shuttle arrangement. On Dec 3rd 2007, I exited Gaza along with 200 people. After finalizing all security clearance in Erez, we were transferred into Kerem Shalom crossing where travel documents were collected by an Egyptian officer to be then checked by the Egyptian Passport Department. I enclosed my university acceptance letter and other related documents, but the Egyptian authorities turned me back to Gaza claiming that I did not have enough supporting documents for a U.S visa. (The Egyptian authorities were transferring passengers straightaway to the Cairo airport. However, in my case, this is not practical as I needed to reach the U.S embassy in Cairo to obtain a visa).
Upon my return to Gaza, I approached AMIDEAST (the sponsoring organization) and coordination was established with the Egyptian Authorities to allow my entry. In early January, orientation at the American university started and I was still stuck in Gaza. In mid-night Jan 13th 2008, I was among the 200 people to exit Gaza. Similar to the previous arrangement, we were transferred to Kerem Shalom crossing. The worst then occurred. I was returned to Gaza for the same reasons although I submitted all the documents along with a letter that explains my status in the program and the arrangement with the U.S embassy in Cairo. I was not surprised by the Egyptian position; to me, it was not new as I feared beforehand that I would be turned back.
In AMIDEAST, they were shocked by the news of my return to Gaza. Two weeks later, I was notified of a new deferral to fall term that will begin this August 2008. In spite of all the obstacles that I encountered, I appreciate the efforts of all the bodies and organizations that provided help and supported me, and which continue to follow up my case. I still have updates with the University, the OSI and GISHA. I am also optimistic that I will succeed to pursue my study.
I always think of what happened last year. One year passed while I am waiting. My colleagues will complete their study this May 2008, while I did not start the program. What happened is only the output of closure, siege and the policy of suffocating the population of Gaza. However, this will not undermine my determination to continue my efforts and pursuing my dreams.