Hamas-Fatah bitter split plays out in West Bank universities
Tempers flare as the Palestinian Authority pursues Hamas-affiliated university students on campuses.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Birzeit University suspended all activities recently after a brawl erupted between the student blocs of Hamas and Fatah.
The Dec. 17 fight began after security forces wearing civilian attire attempted to arrest a student belonging to the Islamic Bloc, Hamas’ student wing. Witnesses and members of the Islamic Bloc who spoke to Al-Monitor said the forces were most likely affiliated with the Palestinian Authority (PA) intelligence network in the West Bank, which is known to pursue students belonging to the Islamic Bloc because of their university and student activities.
