by There are now six university institutions that, after the pressure exerted by the camps, have decided to break their ties with Israel. The Universitat de València (UV) and the University of Seville (US) have joined the universities of Granada, Barcelona, Jaén and Pablo Olavide in Seville this week. In addition to severing relations, the governing councils of these training centers have called to stop the genocide, as well as to increase their commitment to collaboration with Palestinian educational institutions.
This Tuesday in an ordinary session, the Governing Council of the UV approved a new position under the title “The University’s commitment to Palestine.” The measure was passed unanimously, with 46 votes in favor and no votes against or abstention, and through it the UV undertakes not to sign any agreement with any Israeli university, institution, or research center until the genocide is stopped. .
They also commit to reviewing institutional relationships with companies and entities that do not comply with International Humanitarian Law, as well as intensifying collaborative relationships with the scientific system and Palestinian educational institutions. Specifically, the UV has announced three new collaboration agreements with Palestinian universities.
The agreement also urges the Spanish government to comply with its obligations with international regulations and interrupt the sale and purchase of weapons to Israel, as well as the recovery of universal jurisdiction to prevent impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The text also demands that the European Union not allow Israeli access to R&D financing for European programs.
The rector of the US has reported that the activities of the academic, scientific and cultural exchange agreement with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are suspended
For his part, the rector of the University of Seville, Miguel Ángel Castro, has announced in the governing council that the US is temporarily suspending agreements with universities in Israel. The rector has reported that the activities of the academic, scientific and cultural exchange agreement with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are suspended, as well as the mobility activities with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and those corresponding to the three projects currently in force in European programs with Israeli universities included, “as long as we do not receive a firm commitment to peace and compliance with international humanitarian law.”
Likewise, the US has launched an action plan for collaboration with Palestinian universities in three fundamental areas: a first consisting of immediate and exceptional aid to members of the university community affected by the serious situation in Palestine to support their academic continuity . Specifically, aid is being awarded to cover the needs of accommodation, food, health insurance, language training, psychological and legal aid.
Currently, the University of Seville has nine registered students from Palestine and another doctoral applicant, with mobility assistance. A second line, on an immediate and exceptional basis, of support for Palestinian universities. Among them, the Erasmus + KA171 agreements with An Najah National University and Al Aqsa University stand out. And the third line is the already formalized request for a project to improve the capacities of universities for effective conflict resolution and reconciliation, through the development of integrated educational programs and research initiatives that align with the unique challenges and needs of these regions with the Arab American University and Hebron University. “This will allow us to manage incoming and outgoing mobility for both the PDI, PTGAS and students,” explained the rector.
The camping of the Polytechnic University of Valencia resists eviction
Last night seven national police vans broke into the Algirós campus to try to evict the pro-Palestinian camp. The activists denounce that it is the first attempted police eviction on a university campus since this wave of protests began. The students had moved their protest to the doors of a venue where an Employment Forum was scheduled to be held today, which the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) itself has suspended.
In a statement released to the media, the institution links the suspension of the event to “extraordinary circumstances that compromise the safety” of the university community. They accuse the pro-Palestinian camp of having committed “violent acts” and “vandalism” to justify the police presence on the campus. From the Acampada they deny any participation in these violent acts and accuse the UPV of having put on “a show” with the sole intention of evicting them from there.
From the UPV Palestine Camp they accuse the UPV of defamation, and assure that “the use of violence” in this Tuesday’s incidents has come, “solely due to the presence of the State security forces and bodies.”
The UPV states that “this group has blocked evacuation areas vital for the safety of attendees, obstructing the normal development of the event and due to the refusal to evacuate, and due to their violent attitude, it was necessary to request police help.” But from the UPV Palestine Camp they accuse the UPV of defamation, and assure in a statement that “the use of violence” in the incidents this Tuesday has come, “solely, by the university institution, which has requested the presence of the State security forces and bodies. Upon arrival, the intention has been to evict, by any means, the members of the Acampada.”
“The UPV thus becomes the first Public University in Spain to do so since the beginning of the pro-Palestinian protests throughout the national territory,” he laments, ensuring that none of its members have participated in the acts of vandalism, violence and attacks on the heritage to which the Polytechnic version refers.
“Accusing the Palestine Camp of the UPV of carrying out or promoting such acts constitutes one more attempt to delegitimize a protest that, as we have been warning, we consider fair from the beginning”
“Accusing the Acampada of carrying out or promoting such acts constitutes one more attempt to delegitimize a protest that, as we have been warning, we consider fair from the beginning. Appealing to security as the only reason for suspending the Employment Forum is absolutely insufficient,” the statement continues. In his opinion, the decision to request police assistance reflects “the desire to put on an authentic show,” while reaffirming his commitment to coexistence, peace and respect for freedom of expression, as well as all human rights. within a framework of mutual respect. After the failed eviction attempt, the camp claims that they spent a “quiet” night, although as one of its members explained, a group of people, “unrelated to the camp,” have made “quite racist and threatening” comments. .
