Palestinian students demonstrate to send message to world

The Palestinian Ministry of Education launched a “Carnival of Freedom” on Tuesday across the occupied West Bank, when Palestinian students held national sit-ins to commemorate historical moments of Israel’s colonization and occupation of Palestine and to “send a message to the world.”

Thousands of students across the West Bank took part in the demonstrations, and held signs demanding an end to the Israeli occupation and the recognition of Palestinian human rights, while Palestinian cultural and heritage events were also held at the sit-ins, according to Ma'an.

Head of student activities at the ministry Sadeq al-Khdour said that the events, which were organized in cooperation with the Higher Council of Youth and Sports, were focused on commemorating the 100th year since the signing of the Balfour Declaration, the 69th anniversary of Nakba, the 50 year anniversary of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza (referred to as ‘Naksa’), and 30 years since the first Palestinian intifada.

Al-Khdour added that the sit-ins were also aimed at "sending a message to the world that it is time to end the occupation and for Palestine to gain its freedom,” adding that the demonstrations were also centered on pressuring the international community to uphold its responsibilities towards the Palestinians.

In the occupied al-Khalil ('Hebron'), students and officials from various governmental and non-governmental departments participated in the activities, which were held at the al-Hussein school. Students raised Palestinian flags and repeated slogans demanding Palestinian independence and an end to the Israeli occupation.

Kamel Hmeid, the governor of Hebron, told Ma’an that “this is a popular, peaceful sit-in under the Palestinian flag calling for freedom,” and added that Palestinians would continue to fight for an independent state with occupied al-Quds ('Jerusalem') as its capital.