On Wednesday 7 October 2009, the Gaza Ministry of Higher Education issued a decision ousting Dr.
Ali Zaidan Abu Zuhri, the chancellor of Al-Aqsa University, and establishing a chancellery council consisting of three vice chancellors.
According to the text of this decision, it was taken to 'protect the public interest and the interests of students'.
  In response, the Ramallah Ministry of Higher Education decided to shut down Al-Aqsa University for the duration of one month.
According to the text of this decision, it was made to 'protect public interest and the interests of students'.
In light of the above, the undersigned organizations condemn the discharge of Dr.
Abu Zuhri by the Gaza Ministry of Higher Education, which violates the bylaws of the Al-Aqsa University.
According to the university bylaws, the Board of Trustees is the authorized body that can make such decisions in case of violations of the law by the university staff.
Therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education is not authorized to discharge Dr.
Abu Zuhri.
The undersigned organizations emphasize that the decision by the Ramallah Ministry of Higher Education has serious implications on the education process, which must continue without interruptions that are not justified by emergency exigencies.
Therefore, the undersigned organizations: 1.
      Call upon the Gaza Ministry of Higher Education to revoke the discharge decision against Dr.
Abu Zuhri 2.
      Call upon the Ramallah Ministry of Higher Education to revoke the shut down order of Al Aqsa University 3.
      Stress the necessity of evading the educational sector from the serious implications of the internal Palestinian rift and ensure the right to education in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law.
4.
      Call upon the two ministries to place the national interests of the Palestinian people at on the top of their agendas to protect the future and wellbeing of  Palestinian society and its development.
End The signatories: Al Dameer Association for Human Rights The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights