Ghent University (UGent) plans to end all partnerships with Israeli institutions, citing serious human rights violations and breaches of international law in Gaza, according to chancellor Rik Van de Walle.
Pro-Palestinian activists have occupied the UFO building at UGent for several weeks, demanding a comprehensive boycott against Israeli academic bodies. Hundreds of students have set up encampments in the building’s entrance hall, hoisting flags in protest.
Van de Walle had asked the university’s human rights commission to review all cooperations with Israeli universities and research centres, to bolster Ghent University’s human rights policy. Previously, the university terminated three contracts involving Israeli organisations suspected of involvement in human rights violations.
However, dialogue did not diffuse the tension. Last Friday, activists entered the rector’s office without permission, leading to confrontations with the police, and resulting in several arrests. Van de Walle initiated an eviction process but agreed to mediation led by author and imam Khalid Benhaddou.
Following further review, UGent announced its intention to terminate all ongoing institutional collaborations with Israeli universities and research institutes. As a result, the university will also forfeit research partnerships that do not directly contribute to human rights violations. These include 18 multi-partner research collaborations.
The university clarified that these projects include research into autism, Alzheimer’s disease, water purification and sustainable agriculture. A collaboration funded by Erasmus+ in economics and law, involving an Israeli partner, has also been terminated.
UGent explained that the connection with other organisations or authorities prevents further cooperation. "UGent doesn’t want to be implicated in the very serious human rights and international law violations in Gaza… [or] cooperate with partners involved in these serious human rights violations,” the Flemish institution declared.
The university’s human rights commission – support by the chancellor – advises that for ongoing projects, the consortium should ascertain whether collaboration with the Israeli partner can be ended and take appropriate measures. If this isn’t feasible, "UGent must take the necessary steps to withdraw from the project" itself.
UGent also coordinates with non-academic partners in Israel. So far, the commission has found no involvement in serious human rights violations, hence collaborations with these partners can continue.
