In a letter to employees and students, the UvA states that it views the ceasefire in Gaza with ‘cautious optimism’. “At the same time, we know how fragile this ceasefire is, and how great the destruction and suffering. Peace and justice cannot be achieved with one agreement.”
UvA partly yields to demands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and stops exchange ‘in current form’ with Israeli university
Table of Contents
- UvA partly yields to demands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and stops exchange ‘in current form’ with Israeli university
- Bart Nijman: whoever fears this peace fears his own oblivion
- Anger over intimidation Van der Plas: ‘Activists have not understood anything about academic freedom’
- Call to Alexandra van Huffelen: ‘Protect our academic freedom against normalization of violence’
Moreover, the organization has noted with horror that there is increasing (scientific) evidence that there is a genocide in Gaza. “We cannot and do not want to hold Israeli institutions responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. At the same time, Israeli institutions, like Dutch universities, are closely linked to the government. And even at this stage we cannot completely rule out that collaborative projects directly or indirectly contribute to human rights violations.”
No new collaborations
For this reason, the university has decided to adhere to the previous decision not to enter into new collaborations in which Israeli institutions participate. The institution is also examining the options available to exit the existing ten ongoing research collaborations.
Finally, no steps are being taken for the time being to extend the student exchange agreement with the university in Tel Aviv, which expires next year.
The university does report that it considers it important that contact with individual students and researchers in Israel will be maintained. “They also often provide a critical voice against the actions of the Israeli government and we do not want to close them off from the rest of the world.”
Bart Nijman: whoever fears this peace fears his own oblivion
In March, the UvA stated that it would not continue the student exchange with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for the time being.
‘Extremely disappointed’
Not everyone is happy with it. “As a Jewish community, we are extremely disappointed in this decision,” said Marc Salomon, dean of the UvA Business School. “We do not understand the timing. There has just been a truce, why not wait with your judgment until you can assess the situation better?! Internationally there is rapprochement, but as a university you are polarizing again.”
Marc Salomon: “There has just been a truce, why don’t you wait with your judgment until you can assess the situation better?!”
He also finds it strange that the UvA tars all Israeli institutions with the same brush, based on the country’s actions. “It was previously stated that each institution would be examined to determine whether there were human rights violations, which I thought was a reasonable procedure. But that has not been fulfilled now.”
Anger over intimidation Van der Plas: ‘Activists have not understood anything about academic freedom’
A UvA spokesperson acknowledges that in principle the decision would be taken on a case-by-case basis. “But because of the greater scientific evidence for genocide, we are now imposing this additional measure.”
Radboud University also continues with its boycott
For Radboud University, the ceasefire is also no reason to adjust its position. Earlier this week, the organization also announced that it would not enter into any new collaborations with Israeli knowledge institutions at university, faculty and institute level.
Call to Alexandra van Huffelen: ‘Protect our academic freedom against normalization of violence’
In ‘sustainable next steps in the peace process’, the university will have its cooperation with Israeli universities reassessed by the Partnership Committee.
