ABSTRACT
The ninth general conference of the GUPS took place in Algiers between February 12 and 17, 1984. The ninth conference, which was held at a difficult and sensitive time for the Palestinian national movement, attracted significant political interest. The GUPS utilized its convention to strengthen its status as the only organization representing the entire Palestinian student body, irrespective of geographical location. It is clear from decisions made in the ninth annual convention that the distinctive importance of the occupied Palestinian territories was gradually increasing. Changes taking place in the Middle Eastern geopolitical arena steered GUPS activities in new directions. As the West Bank and Gaza gained in importance, an active student leadership was beginning to emerge in the territories, which in addition to its political experience was seasoned in direct combat against Israel. The academic infrastructure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip had been reorganized and an active political and cultural scene had started to emerge in the 1980s.
