In a poignant reflection of ongoing struggles, Israeli forces recently stormed Birzeit University, demolishing a memorial that honored Palestinian students who lost their lives in conflict. This act has reignited deep emotional wounds for families like that of Rania Washaha, whose brother, Fadi, was among those commemorated on the monument. As tensions escalate, the events at Birzeit University underscore not only the resilience of Palestinian identity but also the broader implications for the future of education and cultural memory in the region.
Israeli soldiers raided Birzeit University near Ramallah during the early hours of Monday, demolishing a stone memorial dedicated to students who had lost their lives due to conflict. Rania Washaha, aged 47, was among those who felt the impact of this act vividly, as her brother, Fadi, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier in May 2021. His name was inscribed on the Martyrs’ Monument, alongside 37 other students from the university whose lives were also taken during the conflict.
Footage from the incursion showed Israeli forces arriving with ten military vehicles, as a bulldozer razed the memorial, leaving behind only a fig sapling that bore the inscription, “Water it twice.” This incident marks yet another chapter in a series of incursions at the university, with this being the fifth since the start of 2026 and the 28th since 2002.
In response to the assault, Birzeit University’s administration condemned the demolition, labeling it an infringement on international law and an assault on education and collective memory. In a statement, they affirmed that such actions would not erase the legacy of the martyrs or deter the institution’s commitment to its academic mission. This demonstration of resilience is notable, especially following a recent raid just days prior to the start of the new fall semester.
Nardeen al-Memi, the university’s media officer, noted that soldiers had previously photographed the monument during a daytime incursion, indicating an ongoing campaign against symbols of Palestinian identity. Historically, the memorial was established between 1994 and 1996 to honor students and alumni lost to violence, starting with Sharaf al-Tayyibi, who was killed in 1984.
Students at Birzeit quickly organized a protest at the site of the memorial’s destruction, viewing it as an intimidation tactic. Sami Adel, a student who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, articulated the significance of the monument to the university community, stating its importance to students since the 1990s. In recent years, Israel’s ongoing attempts to suppress commemorative activities on campus have heightened fears among students regarding their safety.
The demolition of the Martyrs’ Monument is part of a more extensive Israeli initiative targeting memorials dedicated to Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank. Some Israeli far-right factions have made it their agenda to eliminate markers of Palestinian identity, as demonstrated by similar attacks, including the destruction of another memorial in the village of Madama.
This broader assault on Palestinian civic and cultural symbols extends beyond educational institutions. For instance, several significant landmarks and memorials have faced removal under the guise of eradicating “symbols of incitement,” impacting locations deeply interwoven with the region’s collective memory.
The campaign targeting Palestinian memory coincides with a comprehensive strategy to suppress dissent in the occupied West Bank, which has seen a notable increase in raids on universities and detentions of students involved in activism. Palestinian universities have historically served as vital centers for political expression and resilience, making them a particular focus of Israeli repression.
Political analyst Mohammed al-Qeeq pointed out that attacks on students, writers, and activists are attempts to fragment Palestinian political cohesion, underlining the stubbornness of Israeli policies aimed at suppressing Palestinian identity.
For Rania Washaha, the memorial was a vital marker of her brother’s legacy, fostering the remembrance of students lost to conflict. Her own family is now paying the price of ongoing repression, with both her son and her brother having faced threats from Israeli authorities due to their involvement with Birzeit University. These ongoing challenges reflect a stark narrative of courage and resistance, emphasizing the university’s role as a beacon of hope in the fight for cultural and educational preservation.
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