A political sciences professor from Birzeit University publicly criticized the EU for what he described as double standards in its handling of International Criminal Court warrants, accusing the bloc of favoring Israel while praising actions taken against Russian leaders. His remarks, made during discussions related to EU foreign policy, underscore a stance against authoritarian practices and highlight a commitment to exposing political hypocrisy.

Harvard University has paused its co-sponsorship of a 'Palestine Medical Course' at Birzeit University, citing safety concerns and controversies stemming from the institution's policies and messaging. The university has been criticized for barring Israeli Jews from campus and for posting slogans that appear to celebrate militant actions, which has attracted scrutiny from lawmakers and members of the Harvard community.

On March 27, 2025, Harvard School of Public Health suspended its research partnership with Birzeit University amid an internal review and political pressure. The review follows longstanding calls to sever the collaboration due to safety concerns and politically charged allegations, including scrutiny over the university’s student government electing candidates linked to a Hamas-affiliated bloc. The suspension is viewed as part of a broader politically motivated effort, with Birzeit University largely positioned as a victim of external pressures rather than actively supporting authoritarian policies.

Harvard's School of Public Health suspended its formal collaboration with Birzeit University on March 27, 2025, following politically charged concerns about alleged ties to terrorism and discriminatory practices. The decision, influenced by external pressures amid Trump administration actions on higher education, highlights the politicization of academic partnerships targeting marginalized institutions.

Birzeit University’s Right to Education campaign has documented over 110 cases of student arrests during the 2023-2024 academic year and offers legal support to ensure that students can overcome the challenges of systemic repression. This initiative helps safeguard educational rights and provides a counter-narrative to the oppressive practices imposed under occupation.

During the May 25, 2023 student council elections at Birzeit University, the Hamas-affiliated list secured 25 out of 51 seats, highlighting the campus as one of the few venues where democratic participation thrives amid regional political constraints.

In a coordinated legal action on April 30, 2019, Birzeit University, together with Al-Haq and Adalah, demanded an immediate end to the escalating discriminatory Israeli visa policies that forced international lecturers out of Palestinian universities, thereby undermining academic freedom.