GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Fatah-Hamas dispute over the chairmanship of Al-Aqsa University has raised major concerns among students. In a statement issued Sept 7, the Education Ministry threatened to revoke the university’s accreditation if the board of trustees does not agree on appointing a consensus chairman within a week of the issuance of the statement.

The situation escalated after the resignation of former chairman Ali Abu Zuhri in early August, when Hamas appointed Mohammed Radwan as acting chairman of the university without input from the ministry.

On Nov. 5, the ministry cut the salaries of 11 pro-Hamas academics, some of whom are members of the board of trustees. In response, the university's staff union called for a general strike Nov. 8 in protest.

Union head Fuad Ayad told Al-Monitor, “It is difficult to agree on a chairman of the university, which will be facing major problems and political bickering that will affect its students and staff. The Education Ministry halted all academic and administrative dealings with the university, such as offering new programs accreditations like the nursing program and the certification of the graduates’ diplomas.”