Israeli occupation’s abhorrent crimes requires immediate international intervention to provide protection for the Palestinian academic institutions
Palestinian national figures and civil society organizations have condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ criminal assault on Birzeit University on 10 January 2022, calling on the international community to intervene to provide protection to Palestinian academic and cultural institutions
In a statement sent to the “Syriatimes” e-newspaper, the 33 undersigned national figures and civil society organizations, vehemently condemn the Israeli occupation forces’ criminal assault on Birzeit University on 10 January 2022.
“The Israeli forces raided – namely, the Birzeit University campus, firing live ammunition, injuring students, and abducting and detaining several of them. We hold the occupation authorities fully responsible for the safety of the incarcerated students and demand their immediate release”, the statement said.
It added: “This abhorrent crime requires immediate international intervention to provide protection for the Palestinan people as well as Palestinian academic and cultural institutions. It also requires that all Palestinians, individuals and organizations, to rally to the defense of Birzeit University, a distinguished national and academic institution. Birzeit University prides itself on its established and rich history of political and intellectual diversity and inclusion, while practicing and defending participatory democracy, making it a cornerstone in Palestinian resilience as well as the resistance to the occupation.”
The statement called for focusing our collective efforts and energies on confronting the Israeli aggression and denying the occupier the opportunity to undermine and weaken our institutions or meddle in our internal affairs.
“We also urge for continued internal dialogue within the university and in a manner that guarantees the resolution of any internal disputes and allows for the prompt resumption of academic life on campus,” it concluded.
Hanan Ashrawi
Azmi Al-Shuaibi
Mamdouh Al-Aker
Hani Al-Masri
Abdelqader Al-Husseini
Shawan Jabarin
Ammar Dweik
Issam Arouri
Majida Al-Masri
Mohamed Al-Aboushi
Muhram Al-Barghouthi
Sami Khader
Mahmoud Al-Ifranji
Abdallah Jarrar
Ubai Aboudi
Tahrir Al-Araj
Abdelfattah Abu Surour
Amjad Al-Shawa
Hilmi Al-Araj
Sanaa Shubeita
Mohamad Salameh
Khaled Kuzmar
Fadwa Al-Husseini
Munjed Abu Jeish
Fuad Abu Seif
Mohamad Al-Hasasneh
Sahar Francis
Issam Younis
Alaa Skafi
Lily Feidy
Honaisa Ghanem
Palestinian NGO Network
Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council
Basma Qaddour