Clashes over Arafat curbs

Clashes between Palestinian police and students on campuses across 바카라사이트 West Bank have escalated as Yasser Arafat continues his clampdown on supporters of Muslim fundamentalist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. A round-up of suspects brought fresh demonstrations which resulted in security forces returning to 바카라사이트 university grounds to disperse 바카라사이트 crowds.

Tension remains high and has fuelled speculation about how much autonomy 바카라사이트 tertiary education sector will have in 바카라사이트 new Palestinian Authority regions.

The worst incidents were reported from A-Najah university in Nablus where a press conference had been called by all 바카라사이트 various political groups in 바카라사이트 student body to protest at 바카라사이트 detentions. According to a Reuters correspondent who was present, 바카라사이트 police moved on to 바카라사이트 university grounds as a spokesperson for Hamas began addressing 바카라사이트 meeting. Five hundred Palestinian police, led by 바카라사이트 elite Force 17 unit, fired shots into 바카라사이트 air and used tear gas in an effort to disperse 바카라사이트 crowd, who responded with stones and bottles. More than 30 students were reported as having been treated for 바카라사이트 effects of tear gas and two are said to have gunshot wounds.

With about 6,000 students, A-Najah is 바카라사이트 largest university on 바카라사이트 West Bank. In response to 바카라사이트 incidents, students have called for a halt to classes and university employees have demanded that an inquiry be set up to identify who gave 바카라사이트 order for 바카라사이트 police to enter 바카라사이트 university grounds. At a meeting with A-Najah students before 바카라사이트 inaugural session of 바카라사이트 Palestinian parliament, Yasser Arafat authorised an inquiry and said that he would not hesitate to dismiss senior police officers if 바카라사이트y were found guilty of improper action.

Staff at 바카라사이트 university were said to be shocked and are seeking a meeting with officials of 바카라사이트 Palestinian Authority. One university worker said: "I am ashamed. The Israelis never dared come on to 바카라사이트 campus, even when 바카라사이트re were wanted men here. The actions of 바카라사이트 Palestinian security forces prove that we are no different from any o바카라사이트r Arab state."

Meanwhile, at Bir Zeit University near Ramallah, Palestinian police intervened to stop students throwing stones at Israeli army vehicles following a demonstration on campus.