In a harsh and puzzling move, the Committee of University Heads filed a petition to the High Court of Justice on Aug. 20 against the decision to permanently recognize the Ariel University Center of Samaria in the echelon of Israel's universities. It is a seemingly rational action. When a government makes decisions that are unacceptable, people can turn to the court in its role as the "High Court of Justice." But it is important to emphasize one part of that title: justice. This move by the heads of the university is actually an effort to trample democracy, academia and, more than anything else, justice. This move is an attempt to override democracy. The Council for Higher Education in Israel is a non-profit organization, intended to be properly managed according to the rules and regulations of non-profit law. Was the decision to petition the High Court acceptable by the relevant forums that make decisions like these in a non-profit? Did the general assembly, or at least the institution's board hold a vote on this, as required by non-profit law in Israel? I doubt it. My counterparts in other universities would not let something like that pass. At any university with a pedigree, it would certainly not have successfully passed in a democratic manner. In support of this claim is the fact that the president of Bar-Ilan University withdrew his signature from the petition, in light of pressure and intervention by concerned university personnel. The heads of the universities turned to the High Court based on the principles of democracy; but in actuality, they are using dictatorial methods at their universities. This move is an attempt to tread over academia. After all, everyone realized and understood that the academic process is complete and that Ariel meets all the requirements that the Council for Higher Education set as conditions. Moreover, in light of the increasing population in Israel, there is certainly a clear need for another university, if not more than one. But the university chairpersons insist that there is no need for another university; they have their heads in the sand and are ignoring the Israeli public. Although no university leaders are elected officials, they definitely serve the broader public and lead the economy. No doubt they want to retain the existing monopoly and the power they have accumulated over the "captive consumer," the Israeli citizen who merely wishes to pursue a higher education. This move is an attempt to trample justice. One of the main arguments in the petition indicates that out of all the students studying at the Ariel University Center, only 15 percent are residents of Judea and Samaria. To their understanding in the petition, this is proof that there is no need for a university, certainly not a Hebrew-speaking one, in the area. This fact actually only further solidifies what was already proven long ago the Ariel University Center of Samaria is a consensus: students and faculty members come from all over Israel and it is not an institution for the settlers. Claims that the fact that only 15% of the students at the institution live in Judea and Samaria is grounds for closing the institution or turning it into an Arabic speaking institution is preposterous. Most of the students who attend Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba are not residents of the city does that mean it should be closed too? Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion is turning over in his grave just from the very idea. Haifa University and Hebrew University both have significant minority populations. Does this impart enough of an Arab character on the institution to replace the language of instruction- The decision by the heads of the universities to file a High Court petition against granting Ariel University permanent recognition is illegitimate, undemocratic, anti-academic and certainly unjust. What if we do support this process? It is ugly politics run by an elitist cartel of the heads of the universities. We have to scream "stop!" I call on all the professors, donors and students at these institutions to come out against their presidents as they see fit. They must send the message that anti-democratic processes must end. The heads of the universities' petition is a death rattle threatening Ariel from earning its deserved recognition as a legitimate university. But its status as a university is consensus and a fact. The writer is the head of the student union at the Ariel University Center of Samaria.
