A prominent American Jewish institution of higher learning has decided to continue partnering with an Arab university in Jerusalem even though the latter is operating in the capital in violation of Israeli law, Arutz-7 has learned.
Brandeis University, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, recently received a grant of $450,000 from the Ford Foundation "to continue its partnership with Al-Quds University", according to a report in the Brandeis Hoot, the campus newspaper.
The joint program between the two schools is said to be aimed at promoting greater understanding of the Middle East.
But in an interview with Arutz-7, a spokesman for Israel's Council for Higher Education said that Al-Quds University is breaking the law by operating in Jerusalem without the requisite permits from Israel's educational authorities.
"Al-Quds operates in eastern Jerusalem, so it is subject to Israeli law," Council spokesman Yair Barak said. "But they have never received recognition or authorization as a legitimate institution from the Council, as the law requires."
Barak said that the status of Al-Quds has been an issue "for some time", adding that, "The fact that they call themselves a 'university' and operate as such without permission from the Council for Higher Education is a violation of the law. It is a criminal offense."
In 1958, the Knesset passed the Council for Higher Education Law, which requires all colleges and universities in the country to receive accreditation from the State. Violators of the law are subject to prison terms of up to one year.
Billing itself as "the Arab University in Jerusalem", Al-Quds operates a number of campuses and faculties within the city's municipal boundaries, including in the Old City. The school is accredited by the Palestinian Authority, but not by Israel. "The matter is being dealt with," Barak said.
Contacted by Arutz-7, a Brandeis spokeswoman defended the university's collaboration with Al-Quds.
"Brandeis University has a purely scholarly and intellectual interest in working with Al Quds University, its faculty, staff and students," spokeswoman Lorna Miles said. "It is not up to Brandeis University to determine or discuss Al Quds University's relations with the Israeli government," she added.
While refusing to address directly the issue of Al-Quds' legal status, Miles did assert that a number of Israeli universities also worked together with the Arab school.
Brandeis University, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, recently received a grant of $450,000 from the Ford Foundation "to continue its partnership with Al-Quds University", according to a report in the Brandeis Hoot, the campus newspaper.
The joint program between the two schools is said to be aimed at promoting greater understanding of the Middle East.
But in an interview with Arutz-7, a spokesman for Israel's Council for Higher Education said that Al-Quds University is breaking the law by operating in Jerusalem without the requisite permits from Israel's educational authorities.
"Al-Quds operates in eastern Jerusalem, so it is subject to Israeli law," Council spokesman Yair Barak said. "But they have never received recognition or authorization as a legitimate institution from the Council, as the law requires."
Barak said that the status of Al-Quds has been an issue "for some time", adding that, "The fact that they call themselves a 'university' and operate as such without permission from the Council for Higher Education is a violation of the law. It is a criminal offense."
In 1958, the Knesset passed the Council for Higher Education Law, which requires all colleges and universities in the country to receive accreditation from the State. Violators of the law are subject to prison terms of up to one year.
Billing itself as "the Arab University in Jerusalem", Al-Quds operates a number of campuses and faculties within the city's municipal boundaries, including in the Old City. The school is accredited by the Palestinian Authority, but not by Israel. "The matter is being dealt with," Barak said.
Contacted by Arutz-7, a Brandeis spokeswoman defended the university's collaboration with Al-Quds.
"Brandeis University has a purely scholarly and intellectual interest in working with Al Quds University, its faculty, staff and students," spokeswoman Lorna Miles said. "It is not up to Brandeis University to determine or discuss Al Quds University's relations with the Israeli government," she added.
While refusing to address directly the issue of Al-Quds' legal status, Miles did assert that a number of Israeli universities also worked together with the Arab school.