Landslide victory for Hamas student bloc in West Bank reflects shift in popular support

Hamas won a large majority in the student elections at Birzeit University in the West Bank, pointing to the movement’s growing popularity at the expense of the divided Fatah movement.
Palestinian students supporting the Islamic Hamas movement.
Palestinian students supporting the Islamic Hamas movement celebrate a victory in student elections at Birzeit University on the outskirts of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on May 19, 2022. - ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hadeel Al Gherbawi
Hadeel Al Gherbawi
@hadola_gh

Hamas’ student wing, the Islamic Wafa bloc, scored a landslide victory in the student elections held May 18 at Birzeit University north of Ramallah with 5,060 votes, thus securing 28 seats. The Shabiba bloc affiliated with Fatah won 3,379 votes, securing 18 seats.

Five blocs competed for the 51-seat student council elections, while a 78.1% voter turnout was registered.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more