Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Oh Ariel, Ariel

Reported:

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned a symbolic decision by the Israeli Cabinet to change the status of the Ariel University Center in the West Bank into a full-fledged university.  Hague’s statement Monday also hinted that Sunday’s decision, which is non-binding, could affect academic cooperation between British and Israeli universities...

“I call on the Government of Israel to reconsider its approach as a matter of urgency,” Hague said. He also said the upgrading of the Ariel institution “would further entrench the presence of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and create an additional barrier to peace with the Palestinians.”  He called the approval “particularly regrettable because it comes at a time of rapidly expanding co-operation between U.K. and Israeli universities, and when the British Government has taken a firm stand against those who seek to undermine Israel’s legitimacy by boycotting educational and cultural institutions.”

The UK proclaims war against a...university?

Well, on the 'other' side,  the local FCO rep has been busy:

On Friday 31 August, a delegation from the British Consulate General in Jerusalem visited Diyar Sports Academy in Bethlehem to attend the final soccer tournament. This tournament marks the end of a three months sports summer camp supported by the British Consulate.  The summer camp, focussing on 100 girls ages 9 to 14, also included swimming and basketball.  The girls come from villages and refugee camps around Bethlehem, and areas facing special hardship such as Walajeh

and on August 9

The British Consulate General in Jerusalem held a Ramadan iftar for Palestinian Chevening scholars who will do their masters degree in different parts of the UK this academic year.  Eight Palestinians coming from the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza were awarded Chevening Scholarships to study in Britain. The British Consul General in Jerusalem, Sir Vincent Fean, welcomed the young scholars at his residence, stressing that this is a great opportunity for the scholars to exchange ideas and experiences, and to meet British diplomats who joined from the Consulate and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv. Sir Fean announced that the scholars will visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and meet with Foreign Secretary William Hague. They will also meet with the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Manuel Hassasian.

And if you are British, here's how some of your tax pounds are being spent:

BILATERAL PROGRAMME FY 12/13

Al-Bashaer Association, £1,200
Fun activities for children and families during the summer, conducted in two villages around Jerusalem isolated by the Wall (Hizma and Bir Nabala).

School of Joy, £4,000
School in Bethlehem helping children with disabilities and mental challenges coming from all parts of the West Bank. Support enabled the school to rehabilitate the classrooms and purchase new outdoor toys.

Haris Women Association, £4,500
Helping the Women’s Association of Haris, Salfit, in equipping their computer lab which caters for women
and young people of the village.

Nur Al-Ain Association, £5,000
Supporting the Jerusalem-based association with sports programmes integrating their blind and non-blind students into the games.

Annajah-Lancaster, students exchange, £2,800
Supporting the trip to the UK by 5 Annajah university students, mainly to visit and stay in Lancaster university campus.

Palestinian Paralympic Committee, £5,300
Providing uniforms and equipment to Palestinian Paralympic athletes taking part in London Olympics.

Palestinian Olympic Committee, £5,000
Providing uniforms and equipment to Palestinian Olympic athletes taking part in London Olympics.

Tamer Institute, £6,000
Promoting youth-led initiatives in 4 public libraries in the Gaza Strip from 1 June to 31 August 2012.

Palestinian Association for Development and Heritage, £6,000
“Children Talent Discovery”: Discovering Gaza children’s talents in Dabkeh, poetry, acting and singing.

SOCADIF Society in Rafah, £4,850
Upgrading vocational training unit, developing capacity of young disabled in wooden industry.

Idna Women’s Cooperative, £8,000
To buy machines and raw material for women’s embroidery project to become more self-reliant.

Al-Amal Society for the Deaf, £5,000
Support Al Amal in equipping their computer lab in their new building in Um Addalia.
www.alamalsociety.org

ARAB PARTNERSHIP, FY 12/13

Elamona, Ramallah, £10,000
“Youth media for positive change” project to stimulate the engagement of young people in creative forms of self-expression and participation. www.elamona.org
Sharek Youth Forum, Ramallah, £10,000
Youth Local Councils, in cooperation with communities, municipal council, young people will engage in the local democratic process and become their own advocates. www.sharek.ps

If Hague is truly interested in peace and coexistence, perhaps rather he should foster joint academic projects with Ariel University.

No "holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen"?

Has he ceased his mental fight, and let his sword sleep in his hand?

^