Address of Dr. H. Nasir (President of Birzeit University)

Dear Friends,
We at Birzeit University – the bastion of academic freedom and liberal thinking heartily thank you for supporting us on this important day in which we protest the travel restrictions imposed by the Israeli military authorities on the Birzeit-Ramallah road.

You have supported us in the past under similar circumstances when that road was trenched and made totally inaccessible. Together we have succeeded in opening the road.

During the last few weeks, the situation on that road has deteriorated again and we now face obstacles of checkpoints and harassments and severe restriction for vehicle movement. This is a form of collective punishment and we cannot allow this intimidation to continue.

This road is OURS. All of us, students faculty and staff, visitors and residents of Ramallah and Birzeit and neighboring villages as well as all Palestinians, should be able to use this road safely and securely – any time, day or night, walking or by car without any provocation from the Israel military forces.

Today our march is a peaceful march. We are only armed with the tools and the ideals of the international legality and the Geneva Conventions that prohibit the violation of human rights of the civilian population and their free movement. These tools are more powerful than the weapons of the Israeli occupation. Today we march to break the barriers and allow for free movement and passage. And as we march, we address the occupation authorities and warn them that, unless it stops, their violation of the Geneva Conventions - of which they are a signatory - will subject them to international legal action.

We further wish to assure Israel that peace with us is not difficult. All it takes is for them is to end the occupation and peace will then reign in the area. Otherwise the struggle will continue until the occupation is forced to end.

Finally, in the name of the University community, and all it represents in terms of moral stands and principles, I call upon you friends and supporters to break the barriers and continue the protests, until the Ramallah – Birzeit road, this LIBERTY ROAD - remains open and accessible and becomes a symbol of our own liberty and dignity.