Adjusted statement Executive Board and deans

Concerns about the situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank

As Executive Board and Deans, we share the concerns about the situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. We follow the developments with concern and filled with disgust. We think the human suffering caused by the violence between Israel and Hamas is appalling, and we share the feelings of sadness, bewilderment and helplessness over this continuing situation. We condemn all violations of the humanitarian law of war, and hope that this conflict will end as soon as possible. We endorse the International Court of Justice rulings and UN Security Council resolutions calling on Israel to stop the famine in Gaza, urging Hamas to release all hostages and calling for an immediate ceasefire. The recent end of the ceasefire has no concern for the justified wish of all peoples in the region to live a humane existence in peace.

Collaboration with Israel and Gaza

We believe it is important to remain in dialogue with students and colleagues in conflict areas, as they are specifically people who can contribute to change. We do not think that ending or freezing all contacts with educational institutions in a country offers a solution. Particularly because academics and students can make such an essential contribution to positive change, we are very concerned about the destruction of the academic infrastructure in Gaza.

We have published a list of existing collaborations with Israeli organisations, and decided to critically evaluate and re-evaluate these collaborations. This is because Utrecht University does not want certain academic ties and exchange collaborations to contribute to (the continuation of) the cycle of violence.

All collaborations relevant to researchers from UU, not just collaborations in which Israeli organisations are also involved, are assessed based on the Assessment Framework for Knowledge Security. Besides this, a new integral Assessment Framework for Research is in development, which will include the Assessment Framework for Knowledge Security, among other things. With this, the various ethical issues involved in collaborations will continuously receive attention within the university.

In the evaluations of existing research collaborations with Israeli partners completed in October 2024, every project was reviewed for the possibility of inappropriate use of scientific knowledge, such as intended military applications (dual use) and risks that the research might contribute to the deterioration of the human rights situation. For a number of the collaboration projects, UU requested external advice from the National Contact Point for Knowledge Security. The result of the evaluation is that it is unlikely that the knowledge from the ongoing research collaborations has or will receive military or unethical applications. 

Utrecht University has a student-exchange agreement with one Israeli university. This agreement will be assessed. Until this assessment has taken place, the outbound exchange will be suspended. Any possible requests for new student-exchange agreements will also be assessed first.

Open attitude of the university

As a university, we offer space to share insights and information, express concerns and share opinions. Because it involves topics that deeply affect us, it can lead to difficult, uncomfortable and/or painful discussions. We strongly believe that it is essential that Utrecht University is and remains a safe place for all our students and staff, regardless of their origins, backgrounds or political beliefs. We stimulate and facilitate independent thinking, critical debate and analysis, hoping that this results in solutions, innovations and ideas on how things can be done differently. We also encourage our academics to share their expertises with society, as they play an important role in interpreting the ongoing conflict.

We appreciate the engagement of students and staff who continue to draw attention to this issue in different ways. We are glad that in various places at UU, such as in the strategic theme Institutions for Open Societies and within our participation councils, there is ongoing dialogue and that this will continue. We ask our community to talk to each other with attentiveness and respect, from human to human. Within Utrecht University, there is always room for different (academic) perspectives and feelings. Evidently, this does not include calls for hatred, violence, intimidation or calls that otherwise go beyond the framework of the open society.  Having (and continuing to have) open discussions with each other is even more important now that tensions within universities are increasing.

Universities of the Netherlands Protest Guideline

Demonstrating and protesting is part of our democracy. As Executive Board and Deans, we will of course continue to respect peaceful protests around, for instance, the situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Occupying a building or grounds does not count as demonstrating/protesting and is not allowed, neither is spending the night in university buildings or on university grounds. This is in line with the UNL directive released on 14 May 2024.

Anton Pijpers, Margot van der Starre and Wilco Hazeleger (Executive Board) Isabel Arends (Faculty of Science), Marc Bierkens (Faculty of Geosciences), Arno Hoes (Faculty of Medicine), Debbie Jaarsma (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Elaine Mak (Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance), Susan te Pas (University College Utrecht), Thomas Vaessens (Faculty of Humanities) and Leoniek Wijngaards-de Meij (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences)