Convicted Murderer of 5 has Tourney Named After Him at Birzeit University

Birzeit University lists among its “external relations” the EU’s Erasmus student exchange program, and it collaborates with many European countries.

By Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch

Marwan Barghouti is an imprisoned Palestinian terrorist who orchestrated three shooting attacks in which five people were murdered during the Palestinian Authority’s five-year terror campaign (2000-2005) – the Second Intifada.

After his imprisonment, he was elected to the PA Parliament . Palestinian Media Watch has documented that he frequently comes out in Palestinian polls as the most popular choice for president of the PA, should elections be held.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Birzeit University chose to honor him by naming a basketball championship after him. The championship was organized by the Sports Education Club at Birzeit University, and reportedly, “the goal of this initiative” was “to honor fighter Barghouti, one of the leaders of the student movement at Birzeit University.” [Al-Ayyam, Dec. 24, 2021]

At the championship, students played in shirts with the picture of Barghouti. They received medals, trophies, and plaques with the terrorist’s photo on them, inscribed with texts calling for “leader” Barghouti’s release. The terrorist’s wife Fadwa Barghouti was present to congratulate the winners and hand out trophies.

Birzeit University lists among its “external relations” the EU’s Erasmus student exchange program, which Birzeit has participated in since 2015. The university also states that it collaborates with many European countries. Would they and the EU welcome and endorse the participation of European students in a championship honoring a terrorist murderer?

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