In surprise win, Fatah beats Hamas at Bir Zeit University elections
The student council vote is considered to be representative of the power struggle between the groups ahead of May vote on local councils.
By Arnon Regular, Haaretz CorrespondentFatah defeated Hamas in a surprise victory in elections for the student council of Bir Zeit University in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The voting at the university is thought to be representative of the power struggle between the two organizations, as the campaigns for Palestinian Authority local elections set for May 5 swing into their final phase.
The Bir Zeit student council, which had always been led by Hamas activists, was handed over to Fatah, which won 23 seats on the council, versus 22 for Hamas.
In recent months, student council elections have been held in most of the universities in the territories.
At Al-Najah National University in Nablus, Fatah squeezed through with a slim majority, while in Hebron University and the Palestine Polytechnic University in Hebron, the Hamas list won.
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Palestinian students praying during elections at Bir Zeit University in Ramallah on Tuesday. (AP) |
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This story is by: Arnon Regular, Haaretz Correspondent
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