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Calls to protect Arab students in Israel universities

May 18, 2021 at 10:25 am

Sami Abu Shehadeh, a member of the Knesset on 20 February 2021 [AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images]

Arab Israeli MK Sami Abu Shehadeh has called for Israel’s Council of High Education and the education minister to afford immediate protection for Arab students in Israeli universities and faculties, Arab48 reported yesterday.

This call as reports emerged that many had come under attack from Jewish mobs, the MK said, citing incidents in Ramat Gan, where Arabs were attacked in the streets and in Ben Gurion University where Arab students were attacked by Israelis and police.

As part of the process to protect Arabs, the MK called for preventing all armed students from entering universities as they intentionally provoke Arab students.

Meanwhile, he called for universities to allow students to express their political opinions, noting that this is a basic right.

“The protection of our students is a major and important demand for us due to the ongoing circumstances as they feel the loss of safety and security inside Israeli universities and school residencies,” Abu Shehadeh said.

Citing several incidents of police brutality against Arabs, the MK pointed out that the police protect citizens in all states, except in Israel, where “it is the opposite.”

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