Ariel University offered an arrangement that would allow students to use the library of an academic institution next to them • Then it became clear: the idea was adopted, but Ariel was excluded from the initiative
"Politicization in relation to Ariel does not surprise us"
Photography:
Jonathan Saul
Following the Corona restrictions, Ariel University has proposed to maintain an arrangement between all academic institutions in the country that will allow students across the country access to their libraries.
However, even though the proposal was implemented - in Ariel it was not updated and the students at the University of Samaria are not included in the arrangement.
The story began about two weeks ago.
The forum of the "Bashar" community, which consists of academics for the promotion of teaching quality and for society in Israel, was attended by senior academics from all over the country and student representatives at universities.
During the same conference, the head of the academic department at Ariel University proposed that cooperation be established between the academic institutions, so that a student studying in Ariel and living in Kiryat Shmona can borrow books for free from the University of Haifa library - which will save him a long trip to Samaria.
Those present at the meeting liked the idea and promised to test it.
However, a few days ago, the Ariel Student Association discovered that the committee of university heads did adopt the initiative, but excluded Ariel University from it.
The reason: Ariel University, located in the Occupied Territories, is not a member of the committee.
Students who applied to universities in the matter were told that there is no arrangement with Ariel University - and therefore they are not eligible for the service.
Following this, the chairman of the student association, Daniel Salomon, sent letters on the subject to a number of officials from the academy and asked for their help in the matter. So far, none of them agreed to help, and some even returned answers condemning Ariel's students for studying beyond the Green Line.
For example, an academic responded to the issue: "In elementary school we had a singing teacher who when we were disturbed, and it always was, he would say that impudence aside and stupidity aside he could suffer, but impudence and stupidity together is already too much. Ariel University (quotes originally; AP) Ariel for equality is both impudence and stupidity. "
According to another academic source, the students in Ariel are "the occupation, or its arm and themselves - in their body, in their language, in their presence - constitute an obstacle to peace in whitening it."
On Tuesday, MK Etty Atia addressed the issue in the Knesset plenum, and the Ariel Student Association is now examining the legal options available to them.
"It is not possible that students who chose to study at Ariel University, equivalent citizens who pay taxes, did military service and came here just to earn an academic certificate honestly, will be discriminated against in such a horrible way," said the association's chairman Salomon.
This is something that has been happening for many years.
However, in such a period of crisis that came and hurt everyone, we expected except to show solidarity and understanding of the situation we are in.
I am ashamed that this is how academia in Israel behaves.
No one is to blame for anything.
These are young people who came here with a clear goal - to study in academia. "
The University Heads' Committee has not yet responded.
Yesha Council response: "It is not possible for an academic institution in Israel to be boycotted by academics just because it is located in Judea and Samaria.
We will fight this boycott in the most difficult way so that such things do not happen again. "
