Israeli authorities expand college in illegal settlement

The Israeli occupation authorities plan to expand a college in the illegal settlement of Elkana built on private Palestinian land in the hills around the occupied West Bank city of Salfit, Quds Press reported on Sunday. The Planning and Construction Committee of the Israeli Civil Administration has announced a major construction project to develop the college buildings to the same level as the university in the colony-settlement of Ariel.

The University of Ariel was at established as a college before attaining university status recognised by the Israeli education ministry. It now caters for around 25,000 settler students.

“Building a college in a settlement built on Palestinian land is a violation of international humanitarian law, which bans the building of facilities for the occupying power on occupied land,” explained local activist Khalid Maali. “It also violates the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

He noted that the Israeli occupation is using respect for education to promote its settlement enterprises in the occupied Palestinian territories. “The Israeli settlement in the area has boomed recently, isolating yet more of the land belonging to the village of Masha,” he added. “This has also damaged olive trees owned by local Palestinians.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority condemned the expansion of the college, considering it as blatant disregard of the will of the international community as well as UN Security Council resolutions which reject Israel’s military occupation.

“Israel teaches racism, hate and theft in the colleges built in such illegal settlements,” said a PA spokesperson. “This breeds graduates who are extremists and terrorists.”