Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Ghent University reconsiders collaborations with Israeli universities due to human rights concerns. Interim judgments of the International Court of Justice play a significant role in this decision-making process.
Ghent University is making new, far-reaching decisions about its collaborations with Israeli universities. At the request of Rector Rik Van de Walle, the Human Rights Policy and Dual Use Research Committee (CMDUO) of Ghent University examined the existing projects again on Thursday. This time not at the level of the project, but at the level of the institution. The rector fully follows the new advice of the committee, Ghent University said.
Two weeks ago it was decided to stop collaboration with three Israeli partners, such as the Holon Institute of Technology. The necessary steps are now being taken to stop collaboration with four other universities and one research institution. “This implies that Ghent University wants to stop all ongoing institutional collaborations with Israeli universities and research institutions,” said Van de Walle.
In the coming weeks, the consortia will examine whether cooperation with the Israeli partners involved can be terminated. “If this is not the case, Ghent University must take the necessary steps to withdraw from the projects itself,” said the rector. “Of course, this will be done with the utmost care for the researchers and promoters involved, taking into account the contractual obligations.”
Is the International Court of Justice Influencing University Decisions?
The report of the competent committee shows that the interim judgments of the International Court of Justice are a new lever. “These point to very serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Israeli government in Gaza. The Commission therefore believes that collaborations with Israeli government organizations are highly problematic in light of the university’s human rights policy.”
The conclusion is therefore: “Ghent University does not want to be involved in the very serious human rights violations and violations of international law that are being observed in Gaza. Ghent University therefore does not want to cooperate with partners involved in these serious human rights violations.”
How are EU Collaborations with Israeli Universities Affected?
The committee also points out that participation in European research programs is based on the idea that participating Member States respect and protect human rights. “Given the scale, duration and nature of human rights violations by the Israeli government, the committee recommends suspending Israel’s participation in European research and education programs. The committee believes that Ghent University, together with other universities at home and abroad, can play a pioneering role in this. I also support this,” said Van de Walle.
Ghent University had a total of eighteen ongoing multi-partner research collaborations involving one or more Israeli partners. These are all financed through the EU’s Horizon pot. This includes research into autism, Alzheimer’s, water purification and sustainable agriculture, the competent committee at Ghent University explains. In addition, the university also participates in one multi-partner educational collaboration with an Israeli partner, funded through Erasmus+.
Is EU Guidance Needed for University Collaborations with Israel?
The Flemish universities are now turning to the European Union for advice. A letter from the five rectors asks for clarity on how they should and can assess collaborations with Israel.
There are four reasons why more clarity is crucial, says Koen Verlaeckt of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (Vlir). “Almost all collaborations with Israel are within a European project. These agreements state that anyone who leaves a project bears financial responsibility. This obviously entails a risk and must be clarified.”
A second reason is that the rectors find it illogical that dozens of universities are doing the same exercise today, while these are European projects. “These screenings take up a lot of time. A central decision or clear parameters are welcome,” Verlaeckt emphasizes.
The general feeling is that things remain very quiet in the European Union. The universities want to know quickly how much they – and the EU – are bound by the interim judgments of the International Criminal Court. “Just because a university leaves a project does not mean that the Israeli institution must also leave the project. We want to know to what extent the cooperation agreements are being complied with. It states that some basic values must be respected. It’s about free speech, but also the rule of law .”
