Thank You Letter from Birzeit University

Birzeit University wishes to thank all those who participated in the peaceful procession on Monday, March 12, 2001, and to thank all those who are constantly writing letters of support and solidarity to the University. The hundreds of participants who joined in the peaceful procession and their adamant persistence to fill up the trenches and open the road to Birzeit was a sign to the Israeli occupation forces that nothing will stop the Palestinians from reaching their homes and villages, and from reaching their University to continue their education.

We wish to extend our deep appreciation to all those who helped with their bare hands to level the three trenches in the road; the fearless bulldozer drivers from Ramallah and Surda who opened the road for the first cars to pass, their drivers risking being shot, perhaps even killed by the angry Israeli soldiers; the brave students and their friends who challenged army jeeps, withstood massive teargas attacks, and actually managed to prevent an intimidating army bulldozer from digging up the trenches again; to the international participants and observers, the courageous press people; and especially the devoted, indefatigable medics and ambulance drivers who rescued scores of injured and provided relief to many of us who suffered from teargas inhalation.

To our friends and peace activists all over the world who continue to support our call for an end of the Israeli siege and occupation with their words and actions. Many helped by distributing our appeal, writing letters of solidarity and mobilizing others. The messages from academic institutions, humanitarian and spiritual organizations, and concerned individuals that keep pouring in through email and telephone calls are a testament to your efforts. Their warm words express solidarity and concern for our people's rights to life and education, as well as outrage at the Israeli government and its occupation forces for terrorizing the entire Palestinian civilian population.

Your encouraging words and deeds are extremely helpful and valuable to us. They reinforce our spirit to resist and continue the struggle for our people's right to life, development and education in a free civil Palestinian society.