Students pledge to intensify protest
Tel Aviv students hold two hour strike to protest program cutbacks; Knesset members and public figures join the demonstration in show of support
Several Knesset members arrived at the demonstration to show their support for the students' struggle, among those who joined in the rally were Knesset members Yossi Sarid (Yahad), Matan Vilnai (Labor), Meli Polishook-Bloch (Shinui) and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
University students, lecturers and high
school students throughout the country were said to have joined the protest in solidarity.
Students carried signs saying "Limor Livnat (Education Minister) is bad for education" and "University for the rich", while artists performed for the crowd.
'Need to change government after disengagement'
Today you are part of a just struggle, Ehud Barak told the students gathered at Antin Square on campus.
"In a country that has no natural resources, except for intelligence, it has to concern itself with three things," he said, "education, education, education."
He said Israel's quality of education will determine the country's future.
"I believe that after disengagement the government should be changed," he said. "But until then we need to focus on the struggle and extend it to universities throughout the country."
Yossi Sarid slammed Education Minister Limor
Livnat and said that over the past four years the ministry has continued to reduce funds for education.
Minister Matan Vilnai, the only government minister to arrive, told the students the threat to higher education is more severe than the threat posed by Iran.
"It endangers Israeli society more than the Iranian missiles," he said.
He said he would discuss the situation with the government Monday to create a national plan to save Israel's higher education.
Faculty of Arts face most cutbacks
Students had originally announced their intention to disrupt an entire day of studies, however, the university administration, who also supports the protest, said they were prepared to stop all university activities for two hours as a sign of solidarity with the students.
Lecturers from the Faculty of Arts, who face the most cutbacks, are set to strike for the entire day. Students belonging to the faculty will organize shows and performances.
'Petition for Higher Education'
Many Knesset members and public figures from all political spectrums have demonstrated their support for the students' struggle.
The Student Union has requested they make their way to the university to sign a 16 x 4.5 meter petition hung at the entrance to the campus under the banner "Petition for Higher Education."
Any Knesset member who refrains from signing the petition will be publicly condemned and a blank space will be left next to his name on the petition, a Student Union letter sent to Tel Aviv students read.
"The struggle has just begun," Student Union Chairman and protest organizer Yiftach Atzmon said. "This is not a student struggle, but a wider social struggle that touches on the accessibility of public services available to all citizens – education, health and housing."
It is the right of every citizen and the state's obligation to provide it, he said.
