bJanuary 28, 1980. Wise Auditorium at the Hebrew University
bin Jerusalem. Some fifty-five years after its founding, with emo-
btional speeches and a deep sense of Jewish historical import, the
bfirst Jewish university in the Land of Israel, and the largest,
bwatches as its students gather for a “cultural event.” The hall is
bpacked to overflowing with more than 600 students who are on
btheir feet, singing the anthem. The auditorium fairly shakes as
bthe loud, proud voices sing:
In the name of freedom, we shall give our lives,
Arab Palestine is the land of our struggle
We will accomplish the impossible . . . .
We have seen the path from the Negev to the Galilee
Our front will be triumphant.
bThe “anthem.” No, not “Hatikva.” The anthem. Of Fatah,
bthe guerrilla arm of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
bThe students of Hebrew University sit. On the stage a pan-
btomime is being performed. A soldier—an Israeli—is torturing
b“Palestinians.” Suddenly, three figures, faces covered by red
bkafias, leap upon him. As he lies on the stage, prostrate, hands
boutstretched, the three heroes strangle and stab him to death. As
bthe pantomime reaches a climax, the students of Hebrew Uni-
bversity are on their feet, cheering and applauding wildly.
bThe cultural evening ends with the moderator thanking the
bPopular Front for the Liberation of Palestine for its contribution
bof IL 10,000. . . .
bThe place is Hebrew University and the students do indeed
b