33 students arrested in violent protest
Thousands of students leaving protest at Tel Aviv University block roads, burn tires. Police arrest 33 students
The students' protest at Tel Aviv University turned violent Wednesday afternoon as thousands of students blocked streets and burned tires on the road and at the entrance to the university after leaving the demonstration.
Special police forces tried to prevent the students from blocking the roads, but were unsuccessful and several students climbed on the top of buses in order to pass the police barriers.
Smoke at the entrance to TAU (photo: Niv Calderon)
One police officer was lightly wounded in his leg during the clashes. Shortly afterwards, students blocked the entrance to the highway, and 33 rioters were arrested.
Ahead of the protest, hundreds of police officers, including some undercover men dressed in protest T-shirts, prepared for the possibility that the protest might get out of control and hoped to prevet the repetition of the events last week's protest in which 5 people were injured.
Students participating in the on-campus protest carried signs against Education Minister Yuli Tamir and Abraham Shohat, chairman of the Shohat Commission, which is to review the reform in higher education.
Students protesting at Tel Aviv University (photo: Avi Kedem)
Tuesday night, the police held a meeting with student representatives, who claimed they did not need a permit to protest, since the demonstration would only be carried out within the university's grounds.
Police said they respected the students' wish to express their position, but would only allow this within the confines of the law.
"If the students act against the law, the police will not allow harm to public safety, blocking roads and obstructing traffic. The police will arrest those who break the law and have them prosecuted," the Tel Aviv police department announced.
Parallel to the protests, efforts were being made to come to an understanding and end the strike.
Officers preparing for protest (photo: Micha Hirshkovitch)
Two days ago, student representatives announced that they would not accept the offer made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's representatives after a long meeting. "We do not accept the agreement, but we view it as positive progress," said the announcement.
The offer presented to the students included, among other things, a commitment not to raise tuition in the coming year, and not to implement the Shohat Commission's recommendations for another three years.
Olmert also suggested setting up a team "to examine recommendations for improving the quality of education and upgrading services available to students."
The students, entering their 20th day on strike, have been protesting plans to increase tuition fees and demanding that the Shohat Commission be dissolved.
Avi Cohen contributed to this report
