Spanish universities suspend relations with Israeli universities that are not “committed to peace”.

He again called for a ceasefire, but also for the suspension of agreements with Israeli universities and research centers that “are not committed to peace and compliance with international humanitarian law.” In return, they express their intention to intensify cooperation with the Palestinian scientific and higher education system and to expand care programs for the refugee population.

The Rectors are also tasked with “ensuring that in the exercise of free expression, equally reprehensible conduct of anti-Semitism or Islamophobia does not occur, as well as any other hateful behavior within university communities.”

In fact, CRUE’s statement does not compel any university or researcher to break any agreements with Israeli counterparts as each center has full decision-making autonomy.

In a public note, the Rector justifies his commitment to the conflict: «Spanish universities have already expressed and reaffirmed on several occasions their permanent commitment to peace, coexistence and the defense of justice and international humanitarian law , which doesn’t prevent “even once”. Continued in the public note of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), I am again deeply impressed by the worsening situation of the conflict and its painful consequences for the Palestinian population.

Furthermore, they called for an “immediate and definitive cessation of military operations by the Israeli army, as well as any actions of a terrorist nature and the release of those abducted by Hamas.” On the other hand, they also request that Israel “respect international law” and allow the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza that can cover the emergencies of the civilian population.

camping students

The rectors’ statement comes as universities operate on a war footing, infected by protests that began more than two weeks ago in the United States and have spread to other European countries.

In Spain, the first to set up camp were students from Valencia, followed by young people from Barcelona, ​​the Basque Country, Navarra, Aragon, Madrid and the Balearic Islands. For example, there are already more than 200 students in the capital in a gathering that is currently uncertain.

The Faculty of the University of Barcelona has already approved this Wednesday a resolution in support of Palestine and against the “genocide” of Israel, in which they are in favor of the institution breaking academic ties with universities, institutions and companies in that country. Are in. “Israel commits genocide against the Palestinian population,” the statement said, after a two-hour debate with 59 votes in favor, 23 votes against and 37 abstentions.