Ariel college president: Accreditation was decided on long before elections

The president of the Ariel University Center, Yehuda Danon, lauded the decision to recognize the school as an accredited university. "It was a long marathon," he said. "The opposition stems from academic jealousy and budget concerns, and of course it is also linked to politics."

He dismissed claims that the timing of the resolution was strategic, considering that the elections are a month away. "The Council for Higher Education made the decision in May 2012, before anyone thought that the elections would be held (early)," he said. (Shahar Chai)