On December 9, 2025, Israeli forces raided Birzeit University in the West Bank and Al Quds University in East Jerusalem, damaging university property.

Israeli troops first entered Birzeit University during the early morning hours. They searched buildings, damaging university property and materials belonging to student groups in the process, and temporarily detained university security guards. Later that morning, Israeli forces entered Al Quds University and raided a prayer room.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the forced entry into higher education institutions by military forces. While security forces have a responsibility to maintain security and safety, they must also refrain from the disproportionate use of force and ensure that their actions do not endanger civilians. Absent a compelling reason to do so, campus raids undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-raid-two-west-bank-universities-and-detain-campus-guards
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AE%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251210-birzeit-university-slams-extensive-damage-after-israeli-raid-more-than-150-students-held-in-israeli-prisons/
https://www.haaretz.com/west-bank/2025-12-09/ty-article/.premium/israeli-forces-raid-two-palestinian-universities-in-the-west-bank-reports-say/0000019b-034f-dfe7-a79b-97cfa9b80000
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251213215447270
https://www.birzeit.edu/en/news/statement-raid-birzeit-university-and-attacks-education-0
https://www.facebook.com/Alquds.edu/posts/pfbid02TxUXHFEFWSLxB1wifFVfL1U7psJ1wXmqAT4R6dHabHp73AGZsB66WWT6KUsngeqyl?locale=ar_AR