The Israeli occupation forces continued its destructive campaign against the Palestine people and the infrastructure in the Gaza strip. After the Israeli Air Force targeted a soccer field at the Islamic University of Gaza last Thursday, the Israeli Forces continued its escalation campaign and aggression by hitting and destroying one of the buildings at the Islamic University of Gaza this morning.
The Islamic University of Gaza is the largest academic institution in Palestine with a student population of over 20,000 students. The Islamic University of Gaza envisions its role in the advancement of knowledge, providing quality higher education, encouraging academic and scientific research, serving the local community, and promoting dialogue of civilizations and cooperation with the international community. The Islamic University of Gaza is a member of several international academic bodies such as the International Association of Universities, the Community of Mediterranean Universities, the Association of Arab University, and the Association of Islamic Universities.
As an academic institution, we condemn this act of aggression and appeal to the international academic community to show their support and solidarity with one of the leading academic institutions in Palestine.
We also call upon the United Nations, the UNESCO, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and all counties in the world to listen to their hearts and lend us their support and protection in order to avoid a destructive human disaster in Palestine.
Just remember that the Islamic University of Gaza is building hope in the hearts of the young generation of the Palestinian people and establish the basis for a civilized society and hope for peaceful future; thus, by destroying this leading Palestinian institution, Israel is killing this hope and seeds frustration among those young generation.
Help us protect this hope and the dreams of our younger generation by showing your support to the Islamic University of Gaza.
The Islamic University of Gaza
Gaza, Palestine
July 4, 2006
