The University of Antwerp has published a list of all its collaborations with Israeli universities and organisations. Since Monday, students have been occupying a hall on the Hof van Liere campus in the city, calling for the university to break all ties with Israel and communicate more transparently about its collaborations.
The university has now published a list of all its academic exchange agreements and research collaborations with agencies, universities and organisations in Israel.
UAntwerp is participating in 17 research projects that also involve one or more Israeli universities, government bodies or companies. The total number of partners in a project ranges from three to 66.
Rector Herman Van Goethem said in a statement that the university was not taking an official position on the conflict but that there was room for discussions. “As a university, we do not take a position, but as members of the university, we are not neutral, nor does the university expect us to be; quite the opposite,” he said.
As a university, we do not take a position, but as members of the university, we are not neutral
“Lecturers can express and defend their own views in lectures and debates, in line with academic standards. Students and staff may express their indignation, as is now the case at universities around the world, in a peaceful manner.”
Since the campus occupation movement began in the US in mid-April, students in Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp have launched their own protests, with demands including an academic boycott of Israeli institutions.
UAntwerp has said that any collaborations with Israel will be analysed thoroughly by its ethics committee.
Van Goethem: “Naturally, we look with extra care at collaborations in conflict areas where the risk of abuse is higher, but we also want to keep the lines of communication open to local researchers who are often the very internal mouthpieces who can defend democracy and human rights within their institution and their country.”