Media: Growing number of universities cut ties with Israeli institutions over Gaza war

An increasing number of universities and academic bodies across Europe and South America are severing ties with Israeli institutions over concerns about their alleged complicity in what many describe as Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Last year, Brazil’s Federal University of Ceará (UFC) cancelled an innovation summit with an Israeli university, while institutions in Norway, Belgium, and Spain similarly suspended collaborations. This year, the trend has continued, with Trinity College Dublin joining in and the University of Amsterdam halting its student exchange program with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In addition, the European Association of Social Anthropologists announced it would no longer collaborate with Israeli academic institutions, citing ethical concerns.

However, resistance remains strong in major Western European nations. Universities in the UK, France, and Germany have largely refrained from joining the boycott, despite mounting pressure from students and staff. Universities UK (UUK) released a statement opposing academic boycotts, stating such action would “represent an infringement of academic freedom.”

The Royal Society echoed this sentiment. Former president Venki Ramakrishnan argued that boycotts would “penalise those who are not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, and who in fact are very sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians.”

Israeli historian Ilan Pappé pushed back on this defence, asserting, “They provide courses and degrees to the secret service, police and are agencies of the government that are oppressing daily the Palestinians.” He added that a boycott would be “a necessary conversation with the Israeli academic institutions, illuminating for them their responsibility and for being an organic part of an oppressive system.”

Meanwhile, in the UK, Palestinian solidarity is facing growing suppression on campuses. According to Liberty Investigates, at least 28 universities launched disciplinary action against students and staff for Palestine-related activism since October 2023.

British-Palestinian surgeon and University of Glasgow rector Ghassan Abu-Sittah remarked that resistance from university authorities has driven many academics “to take personal decisions, not to have joint projects with Israelis.”

In May, hundreds of Israeli academics wrote to the heads of Israeli universities: “This is a horrifying litany of war crimes and even crimes against humanity, all of our own doing… We cannot claim that we did not know. We have been silent for too long.”

By Vafa Guliyeva