Masked unidentified protesters demanded that the UvA (University of Amsterdam) disclose its ties with Israeli institutions on May 6 2024. The identity of the so-called protesters was not clear. Were they students? Were they Hamas warriors? The UvA is temporarily ceasing its student exchange with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem due to the risk of human rights violations by the Israeli university. The human rights violations are not certified and the Israeli university has not given a chance to answer this allegation. A world-wide academic ban for the Antisemitic University of Amsterdam should be applied.
The UvA has come to this decision following advice from a special, independent committee. The risk of human rights violations by the Israeli university was not certified by an independent organisation and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is not asked for a counter opinion. The academic freedom is violated by the University of Amsterdam. The UvA lets itself dictate by terrorists. A world-wide ban for this antisemitic University needs to apply.
The UvA has three so-called Memoranda of Understanding: one agreement for the exchange of four students per year, one for six, and one for eight. One agreement is with the University of Tel Aviv, another with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the third with Ben Gurion University. None of these outgoing exchanges are currently active due to negative travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Central Student Council (CSR) had previously requested this, and the Board of Directors responded positively to this request for transparency. The Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has decided to follow the advice of the Advisory Committee on Collaboration with Third Parties on three international collaboration projects. The three projects – with partners from China, Israel and Hungary – will therefore not be continued or renewed in their current form or without risk-reducing measures.
A Jewish organisation, CIDI has submitted a request to the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The request is directed at the Advisory Committee on Collaboration with Third Parties. This committee has advised terminating the collaboration with an Israeli university. Incidentally, this was a very poor recommendation, which makes the UvA’s decision all the more incomprehensible. In addition, our Woo request is directed at the collaborations that the UvA has with other countries in the Middle East.