MK Zoabi: Haifa Uni protects fascists
Arab students hold gathering with Balad lawmaker, who criticizes institution for banning larger event. Jewish students protest in front of building, sing national anthem, call Zoabi 'terrorist'
MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad) on Monday arrived at the University of Haifa for an event organized by Balad student activists.
MK Zoabi, who became a controversial figure after participating in the Gaza-bound flotilla in May, lashed out at the university's decision to prevent the organizers from holding a larger event.
MK Zoabi escorted by police (Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv)
"The excuse that it might harm public order is taken straight out of Shin Bet statements. Instead of protecting those who are being threatened, they protect the fascists," she said.
The member of Knesset added that "the university is employing censorship and silencing voices. It's part of my right as a member of Knesset and an Israeli citizen to meet with students in the university," she asserted, adding that the University of Haifa is supported by donors who believe the institution to be pluralistic.
"There should be an article written in the university's website about the incident that took place here today, so that those donors stop supporting an institution that persecutes human rights and liberty," she noted.
Balad activists face Jewish students (Photo:Avishag Shaar-Yashuv)
The meeting with the MK Zoabi took place after negotiations between the students and the university administration failed.
A few weeks ago, the students approached the administration and asked to hold a political conference with the participation of MK Zoabi, ahead of the elections for the Student Union.
The university administration rejected their request, claiming that such a gathering right before the elections might lead to unrest among students at the campus.
Jewish students protesting event (Photo:Avishag Shaar-Yashuv)
However, the students decided to hold the event despite the university's decision.
Eventually, organizers held a smaller event than originally planned, and convened in one of the rooms at the student center, instead of a centrally located hall.
Meanwhile, some 100 Jewish students protested outside of the building, calling Zoabi a "terrorist" and singing the national anthem. The protesters held Israeli flags and whistles.
Police forces and university security formed a barrier between the protesters and the building where the event was held.
The university administration denied all claims made by MK Zoabi, stating that "her entry was not forbidden. She was here and she talked to the students, so we didn't silence anyone."
In reference to the refusal to permit a larger gathering, the administration stated that it feared such an event two weeks prior to the Student Union elections might lead to unnecessary incitement, and therefore they did not give permission to hold the event.
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