By Ahmad Nimer
RAMALLAH — Recent events at the main Palestinian university, Birzeit University, have resulted in the growth of the most significant protest movement here since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA). For the first time, a large and popular movement has arisen in direct opposition to the PA's arbitrary rule.
The impetus for the movement was the arrest of students and others by Palestinian security bodies after a demonstration against French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin on February 26. The demonstration was organised by the Birzeit student council and university employees' union in response to Jospin's description of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hizbullah, as a "terrorist organisation".
Jospin had been invited onto Birzeit to speak on the "Rule of law and development" at the university's Institute of Law. Towards the end of the demonstration stones were thrown at Jospin and one of the high-ranking Palestinian negotiators, Nabil Sha'ath, who attended the meeting with him.
Following the protest, Palestinian security agencies (principally the Mukhabarat and the Preventive Security Services) set up roadblocks around the university and on the road between Birzeit and the town of Ramallah. Hundreds of people were arrested and questioned at intelligence headquarters in Ramallah.
Students beaten
In an unprecedented step, security forces also entered the campus and began arresting students inside. When the university vice-president told the security police that it was illegal for them to enter the campus, two Mukhabarat agents replied, "We know, but the Palestinian Authority is above the law".
That night, student houses in Birzeit and local restaurants in Ramallah were raided by the security forces. Many of those arrested were beaten severely and taken to an interrogation centre in Jericho. A large proportion of the 200 people arrested were not students and not present at the university on the day of the demonstration. Four employees of the university were arrested and one was kept in detention for five days.
Arrests continued on February 27. Hundreds were picked up in the streets of Ramallah in broad daylight and taken for questioning. A small demonstration was organised against the arrests that day. Those who participated were forced to go into hiding immediately after the action.
At least 32 students are known to be in PA custody without charge. A number of the detainees have been severely beaten and abused, according to the Palestinian human rights organisation LAW (visit <http://www.lawsociety.org>). A lawyer from LAW was allowed to visit seven of the detainees held at the Preventive Security Service's headquarters in Jericho.
Detainees have been forced to stand or sit in uncomfortable positions for hours, according to victims and witnesses. In one case, a detainee was severely beaten and then made to stand in a very uncomfortable position for six hours. Another detainee was forced to stand in an uncomfortable position from 11 am on February 26 until the following morning.
Detainees were repeatedly interrogated and beaten to force them to supply lists of names of fellow students. Several released students have provided affidavits confirming these accounts. The PA has denied all reports of mistreatment.
Jibril Rajoub, chief of the Preventive Security Service, claimed that "innocent students have not been arrested", according to a report from the Chinese news agency on March 1.
Demonstrations banned
On February 29, the PA banned on all public demonstrations and gatherings in the Israeli-occupied areas in which it has been given control over the Palestinian residents.
Large meetings of students and employees of the university have been held on campus and students began a sit-in at the university cafeteria on March 1. The strikers have stated that they will continue the sit-in until all the detainees are freed and the "independence of the university from the security forces is recognised", according to a report at Birzeit's web site (<http://www.birzeit.edu>).
The occupying students have received solidarity delegations from many parts of Palestine. Messages of support and solidarity from all over the world have also arrived. More than 100 people from the neighbouring Jalazon Refugee Camp marched into the university to show their support for the students. The strikers have also been visited by members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and various organisations. Students in Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron have staged actions in solidarity.
The student protest movement that has emerged is cross-factional, including the pro-Yasser Arafat Shabiba bloc. It is the first time that a vocal and popularly supported movement has arisen directly against the PA.
Last year's protest against corruption in the PA, initiated by signatories to the "Petition of Twenty", while important, was largely an elite protest that did not result in much comment from the street. In contrast, the current movement is led by young student activists, many of whom have spent time in Israel's prisons.
The movement is vigorously seeking to broaden links and solidarity with outside forces including at other Palestinian universities. A victory in this battle will embolden and build the confidence of those dissatisfied with PA rule and lay the ground for future organisational developments.
PA leader Arafat requested a meeting with student and union representatives on March 3. According to the students who attended the meeting, Arafat refused to commit to the immediate release of the students and replied to their demands with insha'allah (god willing).
Students are discussing their next actions. Suggestions include launching a hunger strike and holding a peaceful demonstration in Ramallah.
Messages of support can be sent to the students via <webmaster@birzeit.edu>.