November 8, 2001 The Israeli occupation forces withdrew on November 7 from the town of Ramallah, thus ending the three-week siege that disrupted the main Ramallah-Birzeit Road and prevented the University from operating. (See article dated October 17, 2001). Today, about 5,000 students and 700 faculty and staff members returned to the University campus and resumed their classes, teaching and administrative work. Although the withdrawal from Ramallah area was complete, yet a checkpoint remains on the main Ramallah-Birzeit Road preventing private cars from crossing. In principle taxis are allowed, but the lines are so long, that people prefer to cross the checkpoint walking than waiting in a taxi. The University is using all its means now to see a total removal of the checkpoint and a return to normalcy in the area. During the period that the University operations were totally disrupted, the Israeli troops stormed into the town of Birzeit on November 2, and arrested three students, amongst whom was the head of the student council at the University. No charges have been levied upon them but it is apparent that the arrest is political in nature.
For further information about Birzeit University, you can contact us at webinfo@birzeit.edu or visit the University website at www.birzeit.edu |