: How UC Berkeley Neglects its Sister School in Bethlehem

In 1990, amid a heated debate, the Associated Students of UC Berkeley passed a resolution introduced by a coalition of Jewish, Muslim and Arab groups establishing Bethlehem University as its first official sister school. Then-mayor of Bethlehem Elias Friej visited Berkeley soon afterwards, signing an official proclamation and thanking supporters for their work, which some credit with helping reopen the school after three years of Israeli military closure. Over a decade later, with violence once again striking the traditional birthplace of Jesus, Berkeley stands in silence at the fate that has befallen its sister campus. In addition, the main campus group organizing on behalf of Palestinians, Students for Justice in Palestine, has been shut down by school officials following a rowdy protest on April 9th.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.