Mayhem at the university
Huge traffic jams reported near Tel Aviv University as students, police clash. Students protest program cutback plans, attempt to prevent entry to institution; police officers forcefully disperse demonstrators. Students slam police conduct
TEL AVIV - Tel Aviv University was a scene of mayhem Wednesday morning as students protesting program cutback plans clashed with police officers, amid charges of police brutality.
Special police forces beat up students who attempted to block entry into the university, Student Union spokeswoman Reut Bargil told Ynet.
“This is not how one behaves in a democratic country, when the students are staging a demonstration in support of the future of higher education,” she said.
Meanwhile, Police Chief Moshe Karadi said he would look into the police conduct and submit his conclusions soon.
At one point, students chained themselves to the university’s gates, while calling out “Education shouldn’t be privatized,” and “We want education, you’re killing our university.”
Student Union chairman detained
University representatives from across the nation arrived in Tel Aviv early Wednesday and began clashing with police officers dispatched to the scene. Officers first dispersed protestors at the main gate, and then turned their attention to students demonstrating elsewhere.
The police detained three protestors, including Student Union Chairman Yiftach Atzmon.
The clashes led to huge traffic jams on Haim Levanon Street and other streets around the university.
The police eventually managed to open the university’s gates, but protestors continued their efforts to block vehicles from entering. The police also dispatched a helicopter in an attempt to direct traffic.
Meanwhile, chained, singing students remained seated at parking lot gates. Their friends attempted to convince other students to refrain from going to classes and join the protest.
Most students, however, chose not to join the demonstration.
'Another norm violated'
Wednesday’s clashes mark the first time police is called in to disperse a protest and enters the university, junior academic staff spokesman Boaz Ben David said.
“This marks the violation of another norm,” he said. “This is a battle for the state of higher education in Israel.”
University officials, however, denied they called in the police and said officers apparently arrived at the scene as a result of the heavy traffic jams.
Knesset Member Amir Peretz, meanwhile, said he spoke with the Tel Aviv District police chief and demanded that police officers stay away from the campus.
“The police’s involvement is reminiscent of dark days where police officers were used to suppress students,” he said.
Knesset Education Committee Chairwoman Meli Polishook-Bloch says the police should be directed to deal with settlers who block roads, not students.
“The students are merely concerned and are expressing their concern for the future of higher education in the State of Israel.”
