Palestinian students struggle for academic freedom

Birzeit University student Mutaz Khudair was hospitalised with serious head wounds in January 2002 after being beaten by three Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint on the way to university.

“Everyone has the right to education”
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Birzeit University lost 111 teaching days during the 2001-02 academic year as a result of Israeli curfews and a military checkpoint near the University. Israeli forces have destroyed and blockaded the road to Birzeit on numerous occasions since March 2001.

Allow Palestinian students their right to education

• Obstruction: Israeli military checkpoints, roadblocks, closures and curfews prevent students and teachers from getting to school or university.
• Harassment: students are regularly subjected to harassment, assault and arrest by Israeli soldiers on their way to and from school or university.
• Attack: schools and universities have been shelled, shot at and raided by Israeli troops and settlers.
• Occupation: schools have been taken over and turned into military bases.
• Curfew: schools and universities have been closed down indefinitely due to prolonged curfews.
• Economic blockade: many students are unable to continue with their studies due to severe financial hardship.

How you can help

1. Write to Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA, and your MP* at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, urging them to insist that Israel takes immediate action to restore the right to education for Palestinian students by removing all military obstacles to free and safe access to educational institutions. *To find your MP, visit www.locata.co.uk/commons or call 020 7219 3000.
2. Host the Students Under Occupation photo exhibition at your university, place of worship, or community group - please contact SOAS Palestine Society - palsoc@soas.ac.uk
3. Join the Friends of Birzeit University in the UK supporting education and academic freedom at Birzeit University.
4. Make a donation to support the Right to Education Campaign - please make cheques payable to FoBZU with Right to Education on the back.
5. Students - participate in the postcard campaign calling on the NUS to support Palestinian students’ right to education - contact palsoc@soas.ac.uk
6. Academics - sign the letter in support of your Palestinian colleagues.

Right to Education Campaign
Friends of Birzeit University
1 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE
020 7832 1340, 020 7832 1349 (fax)
right2edu@fobzu.org