PA TV report on special academic courses for prisoners

Official PA TV News, on a ceremony for 85 prisoners who completed university courses

Official PA TV reporter: "While the occupation authorities are attempting to steal the prisoners' achievements and oppress them, 85 prisoners imprisoned in Gilboa Prison have completed their studies in two training courses for journalism and media, and in Fatah staff training. The graduation ceremony took place at the [former PLO Chairman and PA President] Martyr (Shahid) Yasser Arafat Theater at [Palestinian] Technical University – Kadoorie (a PA government university –Ed.) in Tulkarem with official and popular participation, and in the presence of the relatives of the graduating prisoners and the university students."

Fatah Commissioner of Popular Organizations and Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi: "Our message to the prisoners and the prisoners' families is that we always participate with them in all of their activities, and participate in all of their dreams and hopes, Almighty Allah willing. Therefore, we say to them and to all the peoples of the world that the Palestinian people has essentially triumphed over the Nakba (i.e., “the catastrophe,” the Palestinian term for the establishment of the State of Israel) that occurred in 1948 through education.”

Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Qadru Abu Bakr: "Despite the arrests, despite the terror, and despite being within the prisons- they (i.e., Israel) wanted the prisons to be cemeteries for the living, [but] there are universities and colleges in them whose graduates are the fighters and [Fatah] staff within the prisons. This is proof that the will of the Palestinians – wherever they are they realize it, even when they are in the prisons."

Reporter: "The graduate prisoners from Gilboa Prison are part of the approximately 600 prisoners imprisoned in the occupation's prisons who have joined training courses in different fields. Those responsible for these courses are striving to raise the level of knowledge among the prisoners in professional and technical subjects, which will allow them to use them after their release."

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Palestinian Technical University – Kadoorie President Nour Al-Din Abu Al-Rab: "We are strengthening the hope among our sons who have lost part of their lives for our freedom and dignity – these prisoners. Therefore the Palestinian universities have now begun with the prisons, with the prisoner brothers, to attempt to advance their thought and knowledge."

Reporter: "The class named 'Martyrs of the National Prisoner Movement and the Defense of the National Project' is considered an additional achievement in the series of achievements of the prisoners, who love life as much as they can."