Birzeit—Israeli police today broke up a peaceful march held by 150 Palestinian and international students at al-Ram checkpoint outside Jerusalem. The group marched calling for academic freedom for Gaza students. Two Palestinian students were arrested.

The march was joined by Dr Hanan Ashrawi and Dr Gabi Baramki, advisor to the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education. Both addressed the crowd calling for the right to education and freedom of movement for students from Gaza who wish to study in the West Bank.

Today's march for academic freedom marks the launch of a campaign organized to assert the right of Gaza students to study at the university of their choice. It culminates in an international day of action on 19 November 1998.

Gaza students' right to education in West Bank Universities is denied by the Israeli authorities. Approximately 600 students from Gaza are currently living 'illegally' in the West Bank, denied permission by the Israeli administration to reside or study in the West Bank.

The two Palestinians who were arrested during the peaceful march were released within two hours. Both are students at Birzeit University, aged 19 and 20. Israeli border police also attempted to arrest a number of internationals. Several international and Palestinian protesters were injured.

Supporters from 18 countries waved their national flags and held up placards calling for Israel to respect education as a fundamental human right. The students came from Australia, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Pakistan, Singapore, Sweden, UK and USA.

For further information, please contact the Gaza Students Campaign Media Officer at the address below. For further information and coverage of the March for Academic Freedom, visit the Birzeit News section of the Birzeit University website.

The Gaza Students Campaign is an international non-political campaign for academic freedom initiated in 1996.

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