Palestinian MP: Birzeit University election could be the last in the West Bank

A member of the Palestinian Legislative Council said the Birzeit University student election held last week and won by the Islamic bloc could be the last in the West Bank following rumours that An-Najah National University and Hebron University were planning to postpone their elections.

MP Fathi Qraawi said in a press statement yesterday that the Palestinian Authority’s security devices’ arrest of the Islamic bloc coordinator at Birzeit University, Jihad Salim, and their prosecution of several elements “reveals the true repressive face of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank”.

He pointed out that Salim’s arrest coincided with a meeting chaired by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas with members of the Fatah Student Youth bloc during which he is said to have rebuked them for their big loss at Birzeit University.

“If the Palestinian Authority knew that the Islamic bloc would win in Birzeit University, it would have used weapons to prevent it,” Qraawi said adding that “if the elections are to be held at another university, I believe the Palestinian Authority will not hesitate to crack down on any winning chance by the bloc.”

Qraawi stressed that the Palestinian Authority is not serious about changing the internal situation in the West Bank which is under the security forces’ full control.

He added that the Legislative Council and presidential elections will not be held during at this time as the tensions are high in the region.

Qraawi stressed that the Islamic bloc’s decision to form a unity student council which includes all other blocs at Birzeit University was the right decision, warning that some rival blocs will work to paralyze the council’s work.