Haifa University Bans Nakba Commemorative Event

On 16 May 2011, Adalah sent a letter to the Dean of Students and President of the University of Haifa on behalf of Arab student Rabia' Eid to demand the cancellation of the university administration's decision to ban an event by the Arab Students' Committee commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, with the participation of MK Haneen Zoabi (National Democratic Assembly-Bala). The event was scheduled to take place on Monday, 16 May, but was cancelled on the pretexts of "protecting the safety of students" and "not disturbing general order at the university". The administration's decision bans all student activities on the university campus until 2 June 2011.

Significantly, on 11 May, the university administration gave its approval to the event after students agreed to abide by strict conditions it imposed on them.

As Adalah argued in the letter, which was sent by Adalah Attorney Sawsan Zaher, the administration's decision violates the rights of Arab students to freedom of expression and association. The university did not offer alternative solutions to the students or give them a clear or convincing explanation its decision.

Adalah further argued that through this decision, the University of Haifa was breaching the right of parliamentary immunity that MK Haneen Zoabi enjoys under the Knesset Members (Immunity, Rights and Duties) Law, which grants her the right to enter to university campus without restrictions.

The Letter (Hebrew)