Peaceful Resistance Building a Palestinian University under Occupation

by Baramki, Gabriel

• ISBN13: 9780745329321
• ISBN10: 0745329322
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-12-15
• Publisher: UCP

Summary

This book tells the remarkable story of Birzeit University, Palestine's oldest university in the Occupied Territories. Founded against the backdrop of occupation, it is open to all students, irrespective of income. Putting the study of democracy and tolerance at the heart of its curriculum, Birzeit continues to produce idealistic young people who can work to bring about a peaceful future. Gabi Baramki explains how the University has survived against shocking odds, including direct attacks where Israeli soldiers have shot unarmed students. Baramki himself has been dragged from his home at night, beaten and arrested. Yet Birzeit continues to thrive, putting peace at the heart of its teaching, and offering Palestinians the opportunities that only education can bring.

Author Biography

Gabi Baramki was born in 1929 in Jerusalem. He was educated at Birzeit school, the American University of Beirut and McGill University in Canada. He has been devoted to education at Birzeit for his entire life, including 19 years as acting President of the University. He was a founding member of the PEACE (Palestinian European Academic Cooperation in Education) Program and was an elected council member of the Pugwash conferences on Science and World Affairs from 1992-2002. He is a founding member of the Palestinian Council for Higher Education (established in 1977) which  helped coordinate the work of tertiary educational institutions to maintain their independence under Israeli military occupation. For his work in promoting Palestinian Education and understanding among nations during difficult times, Dr. Baramki received the Medal Palme Académique with the rank Officier from the French Ministry of Education.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1  Growing Up in Palestine
Chapter 2  Peace and War
Chapter 3  Occupation and Education
Chapter 4  Targeting Birzeit
Chapter 5  Developing Birzeit
Chapter 6  "Cells of Illegal Education"
Chapter 7 "Shaking Off" and Being Shaken
Chapter 8  Not Obeying Orders
Chapter 9  Networking Round the World
Chapter 10  Harassment and Hair Gel
Chapter 11  Preaching to the Choir
Appendix i Chronology - Birzeit University
Appendix ii Deportation Statement from Hanna Nasir November 74
Appendix iii Israeli lies and half-truths 16 January 1979
Appendix iv Press release from BZU after 1979 closure
Appendix v BZU press release after opening in April 1992
Appendix vi Report from 5 Hebrew University professors
on order 854 - 1980
Appendix vii-a Example of Required loyalty oath.  A Commitment form - 1982-3
Appendix vii-b work permit A with item 18 - 1980
Appendix vii-c work permit B without item 18 - 1980
Appendix viii Letter to Secretary Baker - March 1992
Location of Photograph and Maps 
Map-Photograph Captions