Jordan: Hashemite University warns students about protesting in support of Gaza

The Hashemite University in Jordan has issued warnings to many students about taking part in demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza in light of the ongoing Israeli genocide in the besieged territory now into its second year.

The NGO Ahrar for Human Rights, which deals with the issues of prisoners of conscience and monitors human rights violations in Jordan, reported on Wednesday that the university issued warnings and punishments to at least 15 students due to their participation in solidarity demonstrations with Gaza.

The decision sparked a wave of anger and discontent across social media in Jordan, amid demands to “stop gagging” and cancel the punishments directed at students participating in protests in support of the Gaza Strip. Activists launched the hashtags #Cancel_Hashemite_University_Warnings and #Shame_Warnings, demanding the cancellation of the warnings and an end to the restrictions on student freedoms.

“While parties should be entering universities to encourage young people to participate in political life, active students are being suppressed because they organise protests in support of our people in Gaza and Lebanon”, said student Mohammad Ramzi Khatib. He added on X, “We have seen this scene repeated since 7 October in many public and private universities.”

A social media user going by the name Najjar suggested that, “Anyone adopting a policy of gagging will inevitably fail. Efforts to silence the voices of truth that are loud in university squares will not succeed. Instead, the voices will become more determined with every disciplinary committee and every punishment.”

According to Ferdous in a post on X, “For those asking what’s going on: The youth stood up and raised their voices in anger at what is happening in Gaza and in solidarity with its people in a demonstration authorised by the deanship itself. Despite this, warnings were issued in bulk against the youth.”

Jordan is witnessing security restrictions on demonstrators and protesters supporting the Palestinian people in light of the genocide committed by the Israeli occupation state in the Gaza Strip. This has prompted institutions and parties to demand an end to the “oppressive campaign”.

A few days ago, the Islamic Action Front in Jordan condemned the arrest of a number of citizens due to their support for the Palestinian people and the resistance. The party expressed its rejection of the arbitrary arrests and the violations that accompanied them, including searching the homes of detainees and blocking roads during arrest operations, in addition to summoning women and elderly people over the age of 60.

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