In cooperation with the Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies of Bethlehem, the Zajel International Youth Exchange Program, affiliated with An-Najah’s Public Relations Department, hosted a delegation of international peace and justice activists. Ms. Diana An-Nabulsi, Zajel Program Coordinator, Mr. Jalal Salmaan, Coordinator of PR activities, and a number of PR department employees facilitated the guests’ visit to the University on Thursday, May 9, 2013.  

Dr. Nabil Alawi of the English Department welcomed the guests and thanked them for their service and attention to the Palestinian question. He offered a presentation about higher education in Palestine. In particular he discussed the negative impact of Israeli occupation practices on Palestinians’ access to higher education. For instance, during the Al-Aqsa Intifada, destruction, curfews, arrests of students and teachers, and road closures made access to universities difficult.      

Dr. Alawi also talked about the separation barrier that Israel has built in the West Bank, referencing the efforts of international volunteers in supporting the Palestinian popular struggle against the wall’s negative effects. He also spoke about the efforts of international volunteers to promote justice for the Palestinian cause in international forums. Following Dr. Nabil’s lecture, the delegation viewed a film about education and educational progress in Palestine. 

Ms. Diana An-Nabulsi explained to the University community how the visiting delegation, which hailed from the U.K., was formed in cooperation with the Palestinian community in London. The delegation, composed of 15 members, travels around Palestine by bicycle and was currently on its fifth visit to Palestine. On each visit, the delegation tours Palestinian cities to get to know more about daily life in Palestine and to become better versed in the Palestinian cause. 

The delegation took a tour of the University’s old and new campuses. Delegation members expressed their admiration for the University’s academic progress and for its achievement of considerable academic status regionally and internationally.