On one hand, the U.S. denies Palestinian Fulbright scholars visas to study in the United States.  And on the other hand, they allow Arab students already studying in the U.S. entry to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC.

Dozens of students from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates and Qatar visited the Israeli embassy in Washington this week.

“It was a unique opportunity to explain Israel’s position first hand,” said Rafi Harpaz, director of Public Affairs at the embassy, in a report sent to the Foreign Ministry.

When the briefing was over, the Arab students, all from affluent homes, shook Harpaz’ hand and asked to take photos with him, telling the director it was their first time meeting an Israeli.

Each student received a PR kit that included brochures about Israel, photos and CDs.

Perhaps the most important phrase here is that they’re “all from affluent homes”.

On the other side of the globe, Arabs are in a tiff:

Bahraini activists are upset with the United States after what they call unfair promoting of foreign interests as part of an international scholarship program for Arab students.

[Ibrahim Sharif, Secretary General of the National Democratic Action Society (NDAS)] said, “We have good relations with U.S. and several students go to pursue higher studies. It is normal for them to learn and understand American culture, but taking them to the Israeli embassy is bad taste.“

Bad taste? Welcome to free thinking, Mr. Sharif.