Radboud University should freeze its ties with Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University. That is the advice of the International Partnerships Advisory Committee to the Executive Board. According to the Committee, both institutions are contributing to serious and systematic human rights violations.

Radboud University should suspend its ties with two Israeli universities until the universities meet certain conditions. That is the conclusion of the long-awaited recommendation of the Partnerships Committee, which was published yesterday evening.

The Committee based its investigation on legal documents and reports by human rights organisations. Their conclusion is clear: Israel and its security forces are guilty of systematic violations both in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Armed drones

According to the Committee, Hebrew University trains its students for the Israeli army military intelligence. The students in question combine their military training with a double Bachelor’s study programme in Middle Eastern Studies and in another academic discipline. In another programme, Hebrew University is also working with IDF to train high-achieving students to become experts in military technology, according to the Committee.

The Committee is also concerned about academic freedom and freedom of expression at the university. A Hebrew University employee who had signed a petition calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, expressed doubts about Hamas’ use of sexual violence on 7 October and called Zionism a crime, was first asked to resign and then suspended by the University for a fortnight.

According to the Committee, Tel Aviv University is contributing to the war through investments in defence companies. The Xcelerator programme is financed through venture capital fund TauVentures, an initiative that calls on startups to develop or offer technologies that could be of use to an Israeli security service. The same fund also finances Xtend, which is developing armed drones for the war in Gaza.

Not directly deployable

The committee therefore recommends only proceeding with cooperation with the two universities under strict conditions, such as them ceasing to offer exclusively military study programmes. According to the Committee, Israeli universities should also assure Radboud University that their involvement with IDF does not lead it to contributions to human rights violations. The knowledge and equipment developed at the universities should not be directly deployable in the war in Gaza or the occupation of the other Palestinian territories, the Committee states.

Suspension of cooperation means, among other things, that researchers will no longer be able to engage in joint projects and students will not be able to go on exchanges to these universities.

In conversation

Interestingly, the Committee seems to have gone beyond its remit to investigate only university-wide collaborations. For example, for both universities, the Committee also recommends freezing collaborations that fall outside this limited framework and involve direct cooperation in teaching and research, for example at faculty level. If Radboud University cooperates with these universities in a larger context, such as HorizonEurope, the Committee believes that it would be ‘reasonable to reconsider cooperation and possibly suspend direct cooperation if there is no breach of contract.’

The ball is now in the Executive Board’s court

With the publication of this recommendation, the ball is now in the Executive Board’s court. Before reaching a decision, the Board wishes to discuss the matter with the university community. Next Monday, students and staff are invited to the Lecture Hall Complex to share their thoughts on the recommendation. This will be followed by dialogues with the deans and participational bodies. Before reaching a decision, the Board will also seek the advice of the university participational bodies.