Arab Enrollment Jumps at West Bank Settler College

More than 300 Arab students, up from 235 a year ago, are among a student body of 8,500 at the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel.

The college, a tree-lined campus on a hilltop, says it welcomes Arab students - both Israelis and Palestinians - to promote diversity.

Arabs say they feel largely comfortable there. They are also reluctant to study at Palestinian institutions or in nearby Arab countries for fear their qualifications will not secure them jobs in Israel after graduation.

At the college, where classes are taught in Hebrew, female Arab students in Islamic headscarves are a visible presence.