There are about 60 university students in Beit Surik attending universities near Ramallah (Beir Zeit) and Abu Dis, Jerusalem. Roadblocks, restrictions and the cost of getting there affect many people. A local group, the Graduates Committee, tries to help local students, sometimes even organising classes locally to ensure students do not get too far behind with their studies because of the restrictions.

Sanctions by many Government's and the withdrawal of aid since the Hamas Government were elected has meant many people, including teachers and social workers have not been paid. The knock on effect has seen many of the village's University students give up their studies (they had a years grace).

Twinning with a Palestinian community is an excellent way of getting to know just how difficult life is for people in the Holy Land if they are not Jewish. Jewish citizens, even those living in the occupied lands, enjoy unrestricted access to schools and universities, often whilst serving in the army, which actively stops Palestinians doing the same. Suddenly the reason to boycott Israeli Universities and make links with Palestinian ones becomes clear.

One of the schemes the local Graduates Committee would like us to support in Hackney is their Book Scheme. Money raised is used to buy books to be lent to poor students.

A full list will appear here shortly.

Local members of the book scheme showing some of the books bought with money raised.