On Tuesday, the eve of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day), Arab students at Ben-Gurion University protested against the “occupation,” Walla reported. The group, which belongs to the student faction of the Balad political party organized a protest against the “occupation,” where they held PLO flags, as well as signs protesting Israel’s security policies.
In response, Zionist students organized a counter protest where they waved Israeli flags and held a moment of silence in memory of the fallen Israeli soldiers.
Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg, who was visiting the movement’s BGU branch at the time, said “the timing of this protest was intended to hurt the bereaved families and the citizens of Israel who are mourning for their loved ones. This shameful event is hypocrisy of the highest degree.”
Peleg added: “It is a shame and a disgrace that Arab and radical Left students at Ben-Gurion University chose ‘by chance’ to protest on the eve of Yom Hazikaron. It is only thanks to the self-sacrifice of IDF soldiers that these protesters are free to demonstrate. Such actions are highly detrimental to the majority of the Arab sector that strive to integrate into Israeli society and want to be a part of it.”
BGU has a special department dedicated to the support and promotion of Arab students, who mostly come from the Bedouin communities around Be’er Sheva. The department offers courses to help Arab students comply with academic requirements, as well as financial assistance programs targeting Arab students.
