On May 9, 2021, police clashed with Arab Israeli students in front of Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI).

Tensions in Israel rose in anticipation of an Israeli court ruling on May 10 about whether authorities can evict Palestinians from their homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. May 10 also marks Jerusalem Day, commemorating the reunification of East and West Jerusalem under Israeli rule in 1967.

While available sources do not specify what sparked the clashes between police and Arab students at HUJI, police reportedly used stun grenades and tear gas at students. Arab students reportedly threw rocks at police. Three police officers were injured and six students were injured.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violence during a student protest. While students have a right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, they must exercise these rights peacefully and responsibly. State authorities must likewise exercise restraining and refrain from disproportionate responses to violent actions. Such incidents undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/four-injured-in-brawl-between-jews-and-arabs-outside-hebrew-u-667693
https://apnews.com/article/jerusalem-middle-east-israel-lifestyle-religion-3950be6592d333a429c5cf9202d221d7
https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1391428640194367489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1391428640194367489%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffour-injured-in-brawl-between-jews-and-arabs-outside-hebrew-u-667693
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/09/jerusalem-al-aqsa-clashes-injuries-israel