On December 4, 2021, students of opposing groups violently clashed at the entrance of Arab American University (AAU), resulting in the death of one student.

The two groups were reportedly affiliated with two different factions of the Fatah political party. It is unclear what sparked the violence. During the clashes, Mahran Khaliliyeh, a nursing student, was reportedly stabbed to death; three other students reportedly sustained injuries.

AAU evacuated its campus and closed academic activity indefinitely in response to the violence.

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned about lethal, on-campus clashes between student groups. SAR offers condolences to the student’s family, friends, and classmates. State and university authorities should take reasonable measures to prevent and respond to violence on campus, including by investigating those responsible and promoting open, peaceful dialogue. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, violent clashes on campus undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/12/student-violence-on-palestinian-campuses/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/students-killing-sparks-protests-against-pa-in-jenin-687911
https://themedialine.org/by-region/palestinians-furious-as-violence-in-universities-spikes/
https://twitter.com/ShehabAgency/status/1467089348151631873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1467089348151631873%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Farab-israeli-conflict%2Fgaza-news%2Fanti-pa-intifada-in-bethlehem-threatens-christmas-festivities-687818
https://madar.news/جنين-الجامعة-العربيّة-الأميركيّة-تقر/