The journalist's own somewhat distanced and ironic descriptions are being deliberately contrasted with the emotions of his interviewees. This repertoire perhaps comes closest to how most members of the Birzeit community see themselves. What is stressed this repertoire is the specific mission of Birzeit as an academic institution that serves Palestinian society. It suggests that the university fulfills a civilised mission, implementing general values of science and nation building. Rhetorically speaking, this repertoire emphasises optimism, agency, determination, reasonableness and moderation.
Scholarship can only nourish in a liberal and tolerant environment.
The journalist as 'observer' and definer of reality To conclude, as one might expect, room has been made for Palestinian narratives and voices to be expressed in Western discourse. Voices presented as nationalist or activist are at best doubtful and controversial. In all of these roles, there is little criticism of Israel's assumed authority to open and close the universities in Palestine at will. The positional superiority of these three roles has the power to set norms in providing a de facto framework for readers to 'understand' the 'complex' Palestinian question. It therefore remains to be seen whether Palestinian narratives and voices can really fulfill their communicational purpose and reach their true destination.