Interview with Democratic Pole student representative

"What are the main aims and goals of your bloc?"

We aim to unite students on a democratic and socially just platform in the struggle for Palestinian rights. We believe the current situation has led to the division of the entire Palestinian people - i'm not just talking about Palestinians in the West Bank or Gaza - but Palestinians across the world. The world only talks about Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - we see Palestinians as being essentially one people - with different living conditions and circumstances but all related by one fact - our dispossession in 1948.

As long as Zionism exists as an exclusionary and racist ideology there can be no solution. Winning the rights of the Palestinian people means an end to that exclusion and racism. It means unity of our people, whether living here in the West Bank, in a refugee camp in Lebanon, or in the United States.

The activities of the Democratic Pole have been directed towards this end. We held the "Reunion Month" last year, which aimed to build connection between Palestinians living inside the 1948 borders and those living here. We called it 'Reunion', because we are reconnecting two branches of one family which have been artificially seperated.

So we aim to mobilize students around these basic principles. We are also unique in Palestine in that we are not just a "coalition" of the left but a new organism with its own identity. We have broken down the factionalism which existed previously and now people identify as the Democratic Pole, not as a member of a particular party or faction. Together we are stronger than just the sum of our parts.

After Oslo, Palestinian society was divided into two dominating blocs - the Islamist and the Palestinian Authority. We represent a third force and aim to regroup and strengthen those who don't agree with either of these blocs. I think the correctness of our approach is demonstrated by our success - at a time when the left outside campus is in disarray.

Democratic Pole Banner which reads in part, "The Palestinian identity is the identity of all Palestinians"

"What do you think are the main issues facing students on campus?"

Students suffer from the general political and economic situation. Fees have been increasing and we have been part of the campaign to stop that. Students also face a lack of resources - books, computers, equipment. An important part of the work of the Democratic Pole is to help students with these issues. We launched a campaign last year to secure donations of books for the library which was very successful.

One of the criticial issues facing students is the issue of freedom of movement. Every time a student travels from Birzeit to Ramallah they must worry about a checkpoint and the possibility of arrest - particularly if they are active politically. Our Gaza students must ask "permission" to see their families and friends back in Gaza. And of course we can't go to Jerusalem!

We are also concerned with the academic situation in the university. We want to change the traditional "final exam" approach to education. Education should be a process of learning, research and critical inquiry - not rote learning.

"What is your opinion on the Oslo and Wye Agreements?"

We totally oppose these agreements. We now live in Bantusatans policed by the Palestinian Authority. Our people are divided as our rights are progressively sold in the interests of the Israeli government and to line the pockets of a few wealthy Palestinian "negotiators".

Economically the gap between rich and poor has increased more than ever. You can be fooled by a trip to Ramallah where you can see the new restaurants and shops but this is not reality for most of us. It is clear some have benifited enormously from these agreements but this has been at the expense of the overwhelming majority.

I reitierate what I stated at the outset - there can be no peace without justice. And justice means recognizing the rights of all Palestinians and our basic unity as a people.

We like to talk about post-Oslo, because this term recognizes that we need to deal with the current reality and the changes that have ensued in our society because of these agreements. We need to deal with the division of our people - and most importantly the attempt by the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government to restrict the Palestinian issue to just those Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Democratic Pole rally - 20 March

Those who oppose these agreements are imprisoned. This was the main idea behind the Wye Agreement - collaboration between the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli government and the CIA to stifle any voices of dissent.

"How do you see the role of women in Palestinian society?"

The Democratic Pole fights for personal as well as political freedom. Women have been treated as second-class in our society and we can't ignore this or blame it entirely on the occupation. We fight for complete equality - politically, economically and socially. Women are not to be confined to the home or in a role as child-bearers - they must participate fully in building our future. It is important to notice that we were the only bloc to organize activities around International Womens Day - all the other blocs gave out flowers. We were also the only bloc on campus to defend the right of the Women's Model Parliament to discuss, debate and make statements free of interference.

When asked to give the blocs 'word to the world', the student representative stated:

For many struggles around the world solidarity has been a crucial part of success and our struggle is no less different. After Oslo the solidarity movements became confused and declined. Many of our supporters around the world thought - how can we be in solidarity with such an injust agreement? We say to the world, we haven't stopped fighting for justice and neither should you. I am optimistic because Oslo and the subsequent have been shown for what they really are, and this is becoming clearer every day. It is only a matter of time. People should stay informed about Palestine, through the web, through journals and newspapers and through listening to what opposition voices are saying. But to stay informed is not enough. People should become active as well. Ours is an international struggle.