How Brown University’s ties with Birzeit University influence campus attitudes on Israel, Gaza
August 6, 2024
Brown University’s affiliation with Birzeit University in the West Bank has resulted in significant influence from pro-Hamas perspectives on campus attitudes towards Israel and Gaza. This reverse takeover highlights how academic connections can shape faculty and student viewpoints.
Brown is affiliated with Birzeit University, located near Ramallah in the West Bank. Students in Palestinian Studies or Arabic have opportunities to study abroad at Birzeit.
Although Birzeit is in the West Bank, not under Hamas control, the student organization Islamic Bloc, closely associated with Hamas, has won student elections there. This indicates a strong pro-Hamas influence at Birzeit.
Rather than Brown elevating educational standards at Birzeit, the flow of influence appears to be the opposite. The attitudes at Brown towards Israel and Gaza are increasingly dictated by pro-Hamas perspectives emanating from Birzeit.
Beshara Doumani, a key scholar in Middle Eastern and Palestinian studies at Brown, has served as the President of Birzeit. His pro-Hamas stance significantly influences academic perspectives and campus attitudes at Brown.
Faculty members at Brown, respecting Doumani’s expertise, often align with his views on Palestine, the Middle East, Gaza, and Hamas. This dynamic has led to a shift in campus attitudes, contributing to student protests and faculty support for divestment from Israel.
The reverse takeover at Brown University highlights the significant impact of its affiliation with Birzeit University. The pro-Hamas perspectives at Birzeit have permeated Brown’s academic environment, influencing both faculty and students. This situation underscores the importance of critically examining academic affiliations and their broader implications.
This influence underscores the necessity for universities to maintain a balanced approach, encouraging independent thought and diverse perspectives within academic discourse.