Official Delegation visits Birzeit University

A delegation comprising several European consuls general from Jerusalem visited Birzeit University this morning in response to the urgent appeal issued by the University concerning the Ramallah-Birzeit roadblock. The delegation consisted of Mr. Leo D'aes, Consul General of Belgium and the present head of the European Union (EU); Mr. Denis Pietton, Consul General of France; Mrs. Catharina Hempel Kipp, Consul General of Sweden; and Mr. Pablo San Lopez, Consul of Spain.

During their visit, they met with Dr. Hanna Nasir, President of the University, Dr. Abdel Latif Abu Hijleh, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Carmela Armanios-Omari, Vice-President for Administration and Finance; and Mr. Ramzi Rihan, Vice-President for Planning and Development.

Dr. Nasir expressed his grave concern regarding the difficulties facing the students, who will be commencing the new academic-year next week. He explained that starting September 15th, about 5,000 students and over 700 faculty and staff members of the University will be heading towards the campus, crossing the checkpoint on a daily basis and passing through the only road leading to the University. Dr. Nasir told the delegation that he does not feel there was a security reason for the roadblock as the road passes nowhere near an Israeli settlement, but that the check post is an attempt at humiliating the Palestinians and institutionalizing their suffering - especially that more than 200 similar check posts are found in various areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Dr. Nasir stressed Birzeit University's commitment to defend human rights, and the students' rights to education, and asked the help of the various members of the delegation to help in finding ways to have the road opened so that free access is guaranteed along the road to the University.

For further information about Birzeit University, please visit the University Website at http://www.birzeit.edu