"Higher Education Institutions and Universities: A Space for Dialogue and Influence" in the Conference on Cultural and National Diversity

Transforming higher education institutions and universities into spaces for dialogue and influence on political and social positions

The "Higher Education Institutions and Universities" session at the Conference on Cultural and National Diversity emphasized the importance of encouraging students and lecturers to provide a space for dialogue to influence political and social positions among students and lecturers, in addition to ensuring the accessibility of education and increasing the percentage of Arab lecturers in educational and research institutions.

Attorney Alia Zo'abi opened the session by highlighting the importance of providing effective dialogue about genuine partnerships in higher education institutions. She also addressed global reactions to the ongoing war in Gaza, particularly what is happening in American universities, where students opposing the war are being suppressed and threatened. She pointed out the incitement and persecution faced by Arab students and lecturers in Israeli universities since the beginning of the war by university administrations and right-wing extremist groups within the campus.

Dr. Yael Berda, an academic specializing in social studies, in her intervention, called for a reconsideration of the concepts of freedom of expression within the campus, noting that "freedom of expression may seem bleak in universities, but it is not absent, just constrained under the pretext of 'order,' leading to stifling silence that makes it difficult to present positions opposing the current situation." Berda added that "the recent arrests of Palestinian students highlight a deeper problem, indicating that a legal coup has already occurred." She discussed the ongoing struggle between forces that consider themselves "democratic" but seek to ignore the consequences of the war and occupation, warning against marginalizing the Palestinian community in Israel from the radical changes that will affect their future and the future of the region.

Professor Riyad Agbaria, a lecturer at Ben-Gurion University, pointed out the concerning situations within Israeli universities, emphasizing that these institutions fail to promote fundamental principles such as equality and freedom of expression, and global human rights standards. Instead, there is an implicit agreement by academic authorities with the government narrative, which contradicts the basic rights of students. Agbaria stressed that arming university students within these institutions threatens certain national groups, hindering opportunities for positive change and disrupting the educational process. He called for deepening political mobilization and the importance of purposeful organization among students and lecturers, especially Arabs, to challenge the widespread discrimination within higher education institutions.

Dr. Olga Orlov, an academic specializing in Israeli affairs, also participated in the session, emphasizing the plurality of voices within Israeli universities, noting that the Israeli academy is still standing but is not homogeneous. She continued by saying that "the narratives and depth of coverage in lectures vary greatly from one professor to another, reflecting intellectual diversity but also highlighting the challenges in unifying academic standards." Orlov called for a more inclusive approach to ensure equal opportunities in higher education and to promote cultural diversity within the campus.

Academic Saleh Agbaria, the coordinator of student fronts, pointed out fundamental problems facing students in Israeli universities, quoting data from a survey of 800 Arab students, including "students living in a state of fear, the failure of institutions responsible for protecting them and fulfilling their duty to provide learning and academic working conditions, and the issue of university administrations pursuing them." He also highlighted the exacerbating problem of excessive armament and the spread of weapons within the campus, which has become the dominant approach of many right-wing student movements. He added that "the problem is not limited to Arabs and Jews but goes beyond ethnic affiliation, as Jewish students also face obstacles when opposing the prevailing narrative." Agbaria emphasized the need to address these challenges seriously to ensure a fair academic environment for all students.

Professor Larisa Vialkova, from the Department of Hebrew Literature and Comparative Studies at the University of Haifa, stressed the importance of allowing research papers linked to cultural experiences. She explained that she uses examples and stories inspired by the experiences of different communities in her teaching to bring students closer together, such as the experiences of 'Antar' and the negative migration stories of Palestinians, emphasizing the necessity of teaching these subjects.

Social activist David Margalit highlighted the significant challenges in mobilizing public activity against the war, including the issue of releasing hostages. In an attempt to address this issue, Margalit and his colleagues initiated dialogues and encouraged discussions on this topic. Despite being limited, their initiative managed to enhance solidarity between Jewish students, who were at the forefront of organizing these activities, and Arab students who participated extensively. This cooperation between students demonstrates that collective activity between Arabs and Jews is possible and effective. Margalit also emphasized that the key to the success of these efforts lies in their commitment to equality, freedom, and the pursuit of a common ideological foundation.

In conclusion, the conference on cultural and national diversity in higher education institutions underscored the pivotal role that universities play as platforms for dialogue and social influence. Participants stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding among students from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. They highlighted the need to find common ground based on values of equality and freedom to ensure an inclusive educational environment that fosters growth and innovation. Through this cooperation, academic institutions can be a driving force for positive change and effectively address pressing political and social issues through the solidarity of students and the building of a strong student movement in partnership with progressive Arab and Jewish lecturers.