CPTnet
July 15, 2003
HEBRON: Palestinian students attempt to re-open University
by Paul D. Pierce
Students at the Palestinian Polytechnic University, wielding sledge hammers,
attempted to reopen the institution on June 14 in defiance of a one-month
extension of their campus' closure imposed by the Israeli army on Saturday.
The summer session at the Polytechnic was scheduled to begin June 13, 2002.
Israeli authorities forced the closure of both Polytechnic and Hebron
University beginning in January, 2003. They claimed that several suicide
bombers had been students at the Polytechnic University, so the Israeli army
had sealed its front gate to prevent access to the facility.
Today, after students regained access, administrators arrived and requested
that students leave the area. Campus authorities had the custodian padlock
the front entrance to the building shut. The administration feared that
students might be injured, or that the Israeli army would destroy equipment
in the building.
Student leaders expressed frustration with the collective punishment imposed
by Israeli authorities and demanded that they be able to continue their
education. Five members of the CPT's Hebron Team were present at the action
to intervene if violence occurred in response to the students' initiative.
Nearly 200 additional students arrived to support the action and listen to
two hours of music and speeches demanding the renewal of classes.
Palestinian flags flew and banners were displayed that said, "Don't violate
our right to education" and "This is the beginning of a new life and new
country." The festive gathering ended without any intervention by the
Israeli military. Students say they will continue with a daily presence on
campus to press for reopening of the university.
Currently, students at Palestinian universities located in Hebron are forced
to attend classes in other locations due to the closures and thus have no
access to libraries and laboratory facilities on their own campuses. The
closure delays completion of courses and disrupted plans of students slated
to graduate this year. Approximately, 2,500 students attend the Polytechnic
University and about 2,000 planned to attend classes during the summer term.
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) wrote a letter to US President George Bush
in June seeking his support for the re-opening of Hebron University as an
important step on the Roadmap to Peace in the Middle East. Bush had made
comments supporting Iranian students' right to demonstrate for free speech
and open universities, and the Hebron team exppressed hope that his concern
extends to those students at the Palestinian Polytechnic University as well.
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