24 April 1996
Campaign News:

"ACADEMIC FREEDOM FIRST"

from the Human Rights Action Project

Dear Friends:

In September in response to the ongoing violation of the academic freedom of our students from Gaza, the Birzeit University Human Rights Action Project launched Academic Freedom First, an internation al campaign on behalf of Gaza students. The campaign focuses on altering the manner in which Israeli authorities deal with Gaza students by seeking standardised transparent procedures, written rejections, and special academic permits.

By January 1996 the campaign succeeded in obtaining permits for the vast majority of the 1,300 Gaza students who wish to study in the West Bank. The campaign had begun to focus on appealing the case s of students who had been refused permits.

Following the killing of 59 Israelis in bus attacks in early March, the Gaza students were again singled out for punishment. Israeli authorities cancelled all permits and ordered all Gaza students i n the West Bank to turn themselves in for deportation to Gaza. No Gaza students studying in the West Bank were accused of participation in any of the attacks. All Gaza students must undergo rigorou s security clearances before being issued with permits. Nevertheless, once again, Israeli authorities have blocked students from their right to education.

PLATFORM

It is time to renew efforts to protect the rights of Gaza students. While demanding the immediate issuance of permits, the more basic issues must not be neglected. Ask for:

1. Standardised Transparent Procedures with Written Rejections. The process for obtaining permits must not be subjected to political negotiations or to acts of violence by minority groups that are condemned by both sides. Demand that procedures for students to apply for and receive permits be published and followed. Demand that any rejection of an application be issued in writing.
   
   
2. Academic Permits. As happened in March, permits are often subjected to blanket cancellations. Student permits should be exempted from such cancellations in order to enable them to complete thei r studies without continual disruptions. Permits do not provide students with open access to Israel, only with permission to reside in the West Bank like any Palestinian from the West Bank.

ACTION PLAN

Now is the time to work. Let your support for the Gaza students be known. Let it be known that you think Gaza student access to education is important to the success of the peace process.

1. BE INFORMED. Ask for copies of our campaign packets. Re-read materials about the campaign. Remind yourself of the issues at hand.
   
   
2. MAKE NOISE. Flood the office of Israeli prime minister and defense minister Shimon Peres with letters demanding respect for the rights of Gaza students. Note that arbitrary and collective punis hments can never lead to peace and security. The fax number for the Prime Minister's Office is: +972-2-664-838 or +972-2-651-3950.
   
   
3. POSTCARDS, POSTCARDS, POSTCARDS. The Human Rights Action Project has designed a postcard to send to Prime Minister and Defense Minister Shimon Peres. Send us a message and we will send you the artwork to have lots of postcards printed. You could also design your own. The address for the Prime Minister's Office is: 3 Kaplan Street, Jerusalem 91007.
   
   
4. SPREAD THE WORD. Ask friends and colleagues to join the campaign. Talk to solidarity organisations, local schools, and youth groups--ask them to dedicate some time to writing letters or sending off postcards.

This is a case in which your input DOES make a difference. It is very important for the leadership of Israel to realise that this issue cannot be isolated and must be resolved. Thank you in advance for your efforts to reclaim the right to education for our Gaza students. Please keep us informed of your work.

Sincerely,

The Staff
Human Rights Action Project
Birzeit University

P.S. If this is the first time you have ever received information about the Academic Freedom First campaign and you would like more information about the issue, please contact us at the address or numbers listed below (see university homepage).

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EXTRA NOTE:
We would like to form an e-mail distribution list only for the Gaza students campaign. If you would like to receive information on the campaign please send a message to hrap@admin.birzeit.edu. If you write "Gaza Students Campaign" under the subject heading your name will automatically be added to the list.
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[ENDS]