Utrecht University planning to withdraw from project involving the Israeli government

Utrecht University wants to withdraw from a project because the Israeli Ministry of Health is a part of it. The university is looking into the possibility of backing out of the project. Student exchanges with Haifa University have also been stopped. Utrecht University announced on Friday that it will not be entering into any collaborations with Israeli organizations in the near future.

Other ongoing collaborations with institutions in Israel will continue. Researchers can also continue to work with researchers in Israel.

The President of Utrecht University Executive Board, Anton Pijpers, said that he understands the students and staff looking at the situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank in horror and are seriously concerned about the situation.

“The recent statements and actions of the Israeli government regarding the occupation of large parts of Gaza, the associated large-scale displacement of residents, and the ongoing blockades of food and supplies are the reason that we are tightening our policies on collaborations. Authoritative scientific research has shown this to be genocidal violence. There is no longer any eye for the desire of people in the region to live in peace, with respect for their dignity and rights,” Pijpers added.

Utrecht University is looking to establish a commission that would be responsible for advising the university about new collaborations. No new collaborations will be confirmed until the commission is established.

This decision follows moves made by the University of Amsterdam and Tilburg University to end student exchanges with universities in Israel. Radboud University in Nijmegen is also looking into making this step. The researchers at these universities are also free to work with researchers in Israel.