Situation in the OPT/Restrictions on institutions of higher education – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

Letter dated 15 August 1980 from the Chairman of the Committee on

the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People

to the Secretary-General

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has authorized me in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee to draw your attention to the new regulations of the Israeli authorities concerning educational activities of Palestinian institutions for higher learning in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Reports originating in Israel indicate that the Israeli Government has decided to make it impossible to open any Palestinian institution for higher education in the occupied territories without a special permit by the Israeli military authorities.

To obtain this permit, an institution will hàve to fulfil a number of harsh criteria, established by the Israeli authorities, the sole purpose of which is to control the institutions of higher learning and to silence any expression for the attainment of national aspirations.

Included in the criteria is a regulation which provides that military

authorities can turn down requests by these institutions for a permit to continue their educational activities.

Reports originating in Israel indicate that the Government of Israel has

authorized the military authorities to strip Arab school curricula of any reference to Palestinian national character and history.

These activities carried out by the Israeli authorities are in contradiction of the basic principles of human rights and international law and are in contempt of the various resolutions adopted by the United Nations.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under item 24 of the provisional agenda, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)   Falilou KANE

Chairman

of the Committee on the Exercise

of the Inalienable Rights of the

Palestinian People

—–

*A/35/150.