Hebrew University: Freezing of funds for Palestinian students is ‘discrimination’

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich’s decision to cut funding for educational programmes earmarked for Palestinian youth in East Jerusalem is based on false arguments, the Hebrew University has told Jewish News. 

Smotrich caused an uproar last week when he announced the freezing of £42 million for a five-year educational programme for Palestinians along with the freezing of £66 million for Arab Israeli municipalities which had been approved by the previous government.

The far-right minister claimed that the funding was going to terror and criminal activities and leading to extremism, providing no evidence.

According to Hebrew University, Smotrich’s claim is not just incorrect, his decision will hurt both Israelis and Palestinians in the long run.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s discrimination against Palestinian students. I can’t see any other explanation. None of his arguments are true. For example, he said that our programme is affecting the number of international students, which isn’t true,” Mona Kassabri, director of diversity and strategy at Hebrew University, told Jewish News.

Hebrew University is one of the Israeli institutions that allows Palestinians from East Jerusalem to enrol in higher education preparatory programmes.

The educational initiative, which aims to integrate Palestinians into Israeli society, was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in 2016. Since then, the programmes have increased in popularity among Palestinians.

“Seven years ago, 80 Palestinian students enrolled with us. This year we have 450 students. In the past they went for the less competitive grades. But this year, nine out of 72 students in computer science are Palestinians from East Jerusalem, which is one of the most competitive faculties. But they are integrated in all faculties, from medicine to sociology,” Kassabri said.

Smotrich, who has been accused of racism for his decision to cut finding, has been advised by numerous professionals who all agree that the programme plays a positive role. This includes Shin Bet, the Mayor of Jerusalem, and Hebrew University. “They all told him it’s a good programme,” Kassabri said.

A better future 

Hebrew University takes pride in preparing the many talented students for a future in the Israeli workforce, providing them all the tools they need to succeed.

“The students take courses in Hebrew English and go on tours to Yad Vashem, the Knesset, the Supreme Court to get exposed to Israeli society. So it’s totally different from what they are used to in the Palestinian curriculum. More than 30% continue their studies at Hebrew University,” she said.

The programme, Kassabri said, also helps build a bridge between Israelis and Palestinians, who otherwise don’t engage with each other.

We have responsibilities toward our students. We accepted them and they already started. We hope we get the money, otherwise we won’t be able to continue the programme next year

“We have a lot of projects between Jewish and Palestinians. The goal is not to make them forget their identity, bur that they will be open to seeing that they are different than how they have perceived each other their whole lives. It’s an opportunity to discuss hard things, openly and politely,”  she said.

“According to our studies, the Jewish and Palestinian students see the interaction between them as positive a thing, contrary to what Smotrich says,” Kassabri added.

Since the 450 Palestinian students started their studies this week, Hebrew University will allow them to continue despite not knowing if it will receive its funds from the government.

“We have responsibilities toward our students. We accepted them and they already started. We hope we get the money, otherwise we won’t be able to continue the programme next year,” Kassabri said.

Not only will the students and their parents be disappointed if the decision isn’t reversed, “we will lose smart people who won’t be part of the workforce in Jerusalem. You can see the light in the eyes of the parents. They want their kids to have a future. And this is what we are trying to give them.”