   
Birzeit Celebrates the Removal of the Israeli Military Checkpoint at Surda
Report, Birzeit University, 28 July 2003
On July 27, 2003 at 9:00 AM the Israeli military army withdrew from the Surda checkpoint enabling free vehicular travel for the first time since October 15, 2001, when the roadblock was removed for only one day.
The removal of the roadblock entails that University students and faculty, as well as over 65,000 villagers, will be able to travel from Ramallah to Birzeit University and the surrounding 35 villages freely without the harassment and hassle which had become an integral part of the daily commute since March 2001, when the Ramallah-Birzeit Road was first bulldozed.
During the past two and a half years, there have been changes almost on a daily basis in terms of the length and status of the checkpoint and the methods and intensity of violations by the Israeli army of the large number of civilians forced to cross the checkpoint by foot.
In a statement to the University community, Dr. Hanna Nasir, the President praised the removal of the roadblock which has direly affected the running of the University since March 2001. He also congratulated the University community on their efforts and steadfastness, which enabled the University to continue functioning despite the difficulties.
While the University considers the removal of the Surda checkpoint of great importance, it should be noted that the proper functioning of the educational system will not be possible without a true and lasting peace which entails the removal of all Israeli military checkpoints and the end of the illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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