In a recent development that has sparked controversy, an official document from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has raised concerns among many individuals. The document has called on Palestinian students hailing "from the occupied territories" to apply for the "Yad Hanadiv" doctoral scholarship program.

The document outlines that the scholarship will amount to 8,000 NIS per month over a span of five years. The eligibility criteria, as specified in the document, pertain to "Palestinian citizens residing in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." However, it's important to note that the document explicitly excludes "Palestinians from East Jerusalem" from this scholarship opportunity.

This publication has drawn criticism from the "Lach Jerusalem organization" and the "Im Tirtzu" Movement, who joined forces to release a joint statement. In their statement, they voiced their concern that a publicly funded institution, such as the Hebrew University, would adopt what they describe as a "post-Zionist" approach, categorizing areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority as "occupied." They expressed their dismay at the acceptance of students who, they claim, endorse terrorism and have disrupted their studies during past Gaza-related incidents. The organizations further expressed apprehension about students arriving from an educational background that promotes "anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Jewish rhetoric", as apparently found in the textbooks of the Palestinian Authority. They called upon the Minister of Education to intervene, labeling this situation as a detriment to the Israeli academic sphere.

Amos Goldberg, a leading professor of the Holocaust at Hebrew University in the occupied Jerusalem.#IsraeliApartheid pic.twitter.com/Oh0Hq10EZk

— ABU KHALIL (@MuhamadKayali1) August 27, 2023

The Hebrew University responded to these concerns by highlighting the extensive array of scholarships they offer, with funding amounting to tens of millions of shekels. The university's intention behind these scholarships is to "ensure equal educational opportunities and financial support for students within Israel's premier academic institution. This comprehensive array encompasses a wide range of students, including those from marginalized communities such as ultra-Orthodox Jews, members of the Ethiopian community, first-generation scholars, applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, Israeli-Arabs, and more."

This controversy surrounding the Hebrew University's stance on Palestinian students arrives in the wake of another recent development. Just last week, members of the university's Executive Committee reached out to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to reconsider the decision made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. This decision aimed to halt the budget allocation intended for integrating East Jerusalem residents into the academic landscape.

סטודנטים בעזה? אל תדאגו, האוניברסיטה העברית תציע לכם מלגות! קראתם נכון, מוסד ציבורי מציע להעניק מלגות לאויבים שלנו שמחונכים לרצוח אותנו כדי לבוא וללמוד בישראל. על הדרך הם קוראים לשטחי הרש''פ שטחים כבושים.
איבדתם את הדרך, הפכתם למוסד פוסט ציוני! @HebrewU https://t.co/4ugL5ychMa

— תנועת אם תרצו (@ImTirtzu) August 29, 2023

The Minister of Finance's decision was founded on the claim that in recent years, extremist Islamic groups have proliferated within Israeli universities and colleges. These groups are accused of repeatedly expressing solidarity with Israel's adversaries and at times targeting other students. During periods of heightened security tension, they are alleged to have made the campus environment unbearable for Jewish students.