A growing number of universities globally have severed
academic ties with Israeli institutions in response to Israel’s military
actions in Gaza, citing Israeli universities' complicity in military operations
and human rights violations. This widespread academic boycott reflects mounting
international criticism and protests amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Global Academic Boycott Takes Shape Amid Gaza Conflict
As reported by Khadega and Mazen Eyon for SANA, universities
and academic institutions worldwide have increasingly cut their ties with
Israeli academic bodies, in response to Israel's military offensive in Gaza
causing massive civilian casualties and destruction. The Federal University of
Ceará in Brazil cancelled an innovation summit with an Israeli university last
year, and multiple universities in Norway, Belgium, Spain, and Ireland,
including Trinity College Dublin, have followed suit this year, severing
academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. The University of Amsterdam
ended a student exchange programme with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, while
the European Association of Social Anthropologists declared it will not
collaborate with Israeli academic bodies and encouraged its members to do the
same.
Universities Cite Israeli Universities’ Role in Military Actions
According to the BDSMovement.net overview on academic
boycotts, Israeli universities have long-standing close ties with the Israeli military and government. Universities like Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion have been
involved in developing military technologies and doctrines used in conflicts
such as Lebanon and Gaza. Bar Ilan University collaborates with Israeli
security services condemned for torture, and Ben Gurion University hosts the
Homeland Security Institute, partnering with top Israeli weapons manufacturers
and defence ministries. Palestinian universities and civil society
organisations call for isolating Israeli universities due to their complicity
in systemic violations of international law and war crimes.
European Universities Lead Academic Boycott
European universities have been at the forefront of cutting
ties with Israeli academia, raising concerns for Israel's participation in EU
research initiatives. As Science Business reports, universities such as Granada
and Barcelona have suspended or ended cooperation with Israeli institutions,
stopping student and researcher exchanges and participation in Horizon Europe
projects. Spain’s Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE)
announced suspending ties with Israeli institutions not committed to peace and
international law compliance. The University of South Eastern Norway and others
have issued statements denouncing Israeli attacks on civilians and
infrastructure in Gaza, ceasing cooperation agreements with Israeli
universities.
Academic Institutions Stand by International Law and Human Rights
Universities severing links with Israeli institutions have
cited rulings and opinions from international bodies such as the International
Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court concerning genocide, war
crimes, and occupation. As academicsforpalestine.org highlights, this boycott
is grounded in Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza, where the
civilian death toll has surpassed 63,000, creating a “man-made” famine and
widespread devastation. The academic boycott aims to end the normalisation of complicity
with such violations through academic collaborations.
Responses and Controversies within the Academic Community
While many universities have cut or suspended ties, some
institutions resist the boycott, citing academic freedom and the importance of
open exchange of ideas. As Jewish Currents reports, the case of Sonoma State
University president Mike Lee, who halted ties with Israeli academic
institutions, was met with criticism and his subsequent leave was deemed
“insubordination” by the California State University chancellor. Supporters of
continued academic ties argue that boycotts risk undermining dialogue and
exacerbating divisions.
Palestinian Academic Severance and Isolation
The United States’ academic community shows a divide in
response to the Gaza conflict. While student protests demand divestment and
boycotts of Israeli institutions, U.S. universities largely maintain and deepen
academic links with Israeli universities. According to +972 magazine, Israeli
academic institutions are deeply intertwined with the military and have
contributed to denying Palestinians educational access, including actions that
destroyed Palestinian academic infrastructure in Gaza. The boycott reflects
broader efforts to address this inequality and raise awareness of the academic
suppression Palestinians face.
Growing Academic and Public Mobilisation
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement
reports unprecedented growth in support for academic boycotts of Israel, with
significant gains over the past year, especially after the escalation of war in
Gaza. Public protests, student campaigns, and institutional resolutions
worldwide are pushing universities to reconsider partnerships with Israeli
institutions seen as complicit in war crimes and human rights violations. This
trend raises questions about the future of Israeli academic inclusion in
international frameworks and funding programs.
Case Examples of Universities Cutting Ties
- University
of South Eastern Norway (USN): Terminated agreements with Haifa
University and Hadassah Academic College, citing appall at Israeli attacks
on civilians.
- Trinity
College Dublin: Did not renew institutional links or research
contracts with Israeli partners, facing criticism from Israeli supporters
but aligning with the Palestinian call for academic boycott.
- University
of Amsterdam: Ended student exchange programmes with Hebrew
University after assessing complicity claims.
- Spanish
Universities: 76 universities led by CRUE suspended ties pending
compliance with peace and humanitarian law commitments.
Impact on Israeli Academic Research and EU Collaborations
The ongoing academic boycott threatens Israel’s place in
European scientific research programmes, particularly Horizon Europe. Israel
has historically been a significant participant and beneficiary of EU funding
for research and innovation, receiving over €600 million. The boycotts and
severed ties risk isolating Israeli researchers and impacting collaborative
projects.
The academic boycott movement against Israeli universities is growing in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with numerous universities worldwide ending or suspending ties to protest human rights violations and war crimes. Backed by international legal rulings and driven by student and institutional advocacy, this movement highlights the complex role of Israeli academia in the ongoing conflict and reflects a broader call for accountability and ethical academic relationships.