Utrecht University cuts some ties with Israel

Utrecht University is discontinuing a research project with the Israeli Ministry of Health. The student exchange with the University of Haifa is also coming to a definitive end. Apart from that, most collaborations may continue.

In a press statement, the board denounced, among other things, plans to occupy large parts of Gaza and the ‘continuous blockades of food and resources’. ‘Authoritative scientific research speaks of genocidal violence’, says Executive Board Chair Anton Pijpers, ‘there is no longer any regard for the desire of people in the region to live in peace, with respect for their dignity and rights’.

No new ties

The university is setting up a committee to advise on ‘collaborations with organisations in countries involved in armed conflict, human rights violations or violations of international law’. That committee is to develop an ethical framework for this purpose. Until then, the university will not enter into any new ties with Israeli organisations, the board says.

There are currently 23 ongoing collaborations with Israel, the university’s digital magazine DUB counted, so there will be 22. According to the university, the remaining projects (e.g. on climate change) have no military applications and would not violate human rights.

Occupations

The University of Haifa was the last with which a student exchange contract was running. This was already no longer being used in practice, according to the university. At Utrecht University, there are regular demonstrations and occupations by activists. They call for the severing of all ties with Israel as long as the genocidal violence of which Pijpers speaks continues, for example just last week.