Cut ties with Israeli varsities, academics tell Stellenosch University
Stellenbosch University.
Image: Stellenbosch University
PRESSURE is mounting on Stellenbosch University (SU) to suspend all collaboration with Israeli universities where there was a risk of direct or indirect involvement in human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In a statement signed by 214 academics, the group noted that this had been a step taken by 'other respected universities, including recently the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)'.
'We agree with Annelien Bredenoord, President of the EUR Executive Board when she says that academic collaborations are normally based on academic freedom, but 'that freedom has limits when fundamental human rights are at stake'. We urge Stellenbosch University's leadership to officially and unequivocally add the university's voice to this world-wide call. We believe that future generations will judge our university and its leadership harshly if it does not take a stand on the outrageous acts being perpetrated against the Palestinian people in Gaza – acts which, to borrow from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), should outrage the conscience of humanity,' the academics stated.
The SU is the only university in the Western Cape that has not severed ties with Israeli universities. The university came short of taking up a strong position following a council meeting last year.
During a special meeting on April 30, Senate voted against a motion themed 'Proposed resolution for Stellenbosch University Senate on the Genocide and Destruction of Scholarship and Education in Gaza'.
At the time the Senate voted 80 in favour, 101 against the motion, while 18 abstained from the vote.
The proposed resolution had called for an 'immediate ceasefire and the cessation on attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid and the return of all captives including the safe return of hostages captured by Hamas, and including the safe return of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons'.
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It also called for the university to express concern and opposition to any attempts to 'curtail academic freedom by labelling criticism of Israel or Zionist policies as antisemitism' and to express solidarity with 'academic colleagues victimised for their willingness to speak out against the educaracide in Gaza', among others.
The 214 academics maintain that the gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the crime of genocide, being committed by Israel in its devastating assault on the Gaza Strip raise profound questions about the responsibility of universities to condemn such acts and avoid collaborating with implicated Israeli institutions.
'Unlike several other South African universities, Stellenbosch University as an institution has been largely silent on this issue. A Senate motion calling for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid and the return of all captives was defeated on 30 April 2024. As concerned members of the University community we again call upon our University to take a public stand on the violations of international law being committed against the Palestinian people.'
The group cited a 2018 Restitution Statement adopted by the university acknowledging and expressing 'deep regret' for its contribution to the injustices of the past.
'This is indeed a moment to embrace change at our institution, including taking an institutional position on Gaza,' the statement read.
The collective in their statement also cited the South African government case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging violations by Israel of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Stellenbosch University said it was not the only university, 'locally or globally, that has refrained from an institutional stance on this issue to safeguard academic freedom, and it has repeatedly expressed its sympathy and compassion for those affected by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza'.
'Stellenbosch University (SU) recognises the severity and far-reaching impact of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. It is important to emphasise that our institution stands firmly for the principles of peace, respect for human rights, freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the principles of International Humanitarian Law. We are committed to supporting and fostering environments where all viewpoints can be heard and will continue to engage in this regard.'
The university expressed its commitment to providing a space that encourages constructive debate and academic freedom.
'To fully perform its role in society, the university must maintain an environment of freedom of inquiry and expression. There are many instances where such robust conversations, specifically also on the crisis in Gaza, have been encouraged and welcomed on various SU platforms and its campuses. The most recent statement supported by Senate and other staff members in their individual capacity also testifies to the existence of such spaces of freedom of speech and expression at the University. The vote of the special Senate meeting also occurred in this broader framework and as an outcome of an inclusive and democratic statutory process. All academic discourse at SU takes place within the framework of the values of the University, namely excellence, compassion, accountability, respect, and equity.'
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