More than 1,000 Israeli citizens are learning in Palestinian Authority higher education institutions.
According to a report published Sunday by the Knesset Research and Information Center, the figure is more than double the number of last year's students who crossed the checkpoints to learn in the PA last year.
The reason, states the report, has to do with language barriers, tough psychometric exams and strict admission requirements at Israeli colleges and universities.
The standards at PA institutions, where last year 619 Israeli citizens were enrolled, are more relaxed.
Most of the 1,300 students who this year are learning in the PA universities in Hevron and Jenin, are from the Bedouin sector, according to the report. The majority are enrolled in education and teaching programs.
The findings, which will be presented next week to the Knesset Education Committee, require immediate attention, said committee chairman Alex Miller.
"There's a concern Israeli students will be influenced by terrorist organizations and their activities, since these institutions operate within the Palestinian Authority," Miller noted.
Just two years ago, in 2010, only 336 Israeli students were enrolled in PA universities.