Dr. A.K. completed his medical residency in the Gaza Strip in 2020, having graduated from medical school at Cairo University in Egypt. He had to take the certification exam in Ramallah since it is not offered in the Gaza Strip. Israel never bothered responding to the first two applications he filed for an exit permit to take the exam in January and February 2020. Later that year, Israel banned exit from the Gaza Strip allegedly due to the COVID pandemic. Exams were held again on August 18, 2021, and A. filed an application for a permit to attend. Gisha sent a letter on his behalf as well, but the only response we received was that the application required further review.
On August 4, 2021, Gisha filed a petition (Hebrew) on A.K.’s behalf, demanding a response to the application and an exit permit. After the petition was filed, the state said it would give A.K. a permit subject to security questioning on the day of travel.
On August 16, 2021, Dr. A.K. traveled to the West Bank and passed the exam.
Dr. A.A. completed his medical studies in 2016. Like A.K., he also applied for a permit so he could take the medical certification exam in Ramallah but was denied on “security” grounds. On August 10, 2021, Gisha filed an administrative petition (Hebrew) on his behalf, challenging the security block. On August 18, 2021, the state announced that it was rescinding its decision, and the ban was lifted.
Dr. A.A. travelled to the West Bank on August 23, 2021, and passed the exam.