About us

Al Mezan's successful work helps students in Gaza

Al Mezan, one of Diakonia's partner organizations in Palestine has succeeded in helping four Master's students from Gaza to be able to study at Birzeit University in the West Bank. For the first time in 12 years the Israeli Supreme Court orders military to reconsider application of Gaza-West Bank student ban.

The first time in 12 years

In May 2012 the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the Israeli military to reconsider its refusal to allow four female Master's students from Gaza to reach their studies at Birzeit University in the West Bank.

The decision marks the first time in 12 years that the court has indicated a willingness to intervene in the sweeping ban on Palestinian students from Gaza pursuing studies at Palestinian universities in the West Bank. The petition was submitted by the human rights organizations Gisha and Al Mezan.

Encouraging step towards ending collective punishment

Al Mezan's Director General Issam Younis described the court’s decision as:

'an encouraging step towards ending the arbitrary and collective punishment of students from the Gaza Strip, and enabling them to realize their right to attend Palestinian universities in the West Bank.'

Violates international law

Israel controls all points of access to the West Bank, so students from Gaza wishing to reach universities there require Israeli permission.

The comprehensive travel ban violates Israeli obligations under the international law of occupation as well as an Israeli commitment, in the framework of the Oslo Accords, to respect the integrity of Gaza and the West Bank as a single territorial unit.

Learn more and support the campaign

To Al Mezan's pressrelease, May 23rd 2012, about the unique decision from the Supreme Court

At Gisha's web site you can join the campaign to let the students study

For students and schools: Play the role of the student in Gisha's Safe Passage Game

About Al Mezan

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is one of Diakonias long term partner organizations in Palestine.

Al Mezan has declared its mission to be: 'to promote respect and protection for all human rights; particularly ESCR, in the Gaza Strip as part of OPT throughout research, legal intervention, advocacy and awareness with a sound combination of professionalism and community participation. Our guiding principles include equal human worth, equal respect of all human rights, individual and collective, as enshrined in international law and jurisprudence'.

Revised
31/05/2012 Ingela Karlsson ingela.karlsson@diakonia.se

Diakonia P O Box 14038, SE-167 14 Bromma, SWEDEN

Bank Account 90 33 04-4 (Plusgiro)

Phone: +46 8 453 69 00
Fax: +46 8 453 69 29
diakonia@diakonia.se
Visiting address: Gustavslundsvägen 18, Alviks torg, Bromma, Sweden (head office)

Org. nr: 802017-3517

Diakonia is an international development organization with Christian values that works together with local partner organizations for sustainable change for the most vulnerable people in the world.

» Learn more about our values

For back-donors and financiers

IBAN:
SE23 3000 0000 0406 2103 2200

BIC/SWIFT:
NDEASESS

For private donors

IBAN:
SE30 9500 0099 6034 0903 3044

BIC/SWIFT:
NDEASESS

Find out more about Diakonia