Belgium’s Ghent University cut ties with three Israeli institutions

After students protested at Ghent University against Israel's war on Gaza, the university decided to cut its ties with three Israeli institutions citing that these institutes no longer align with the university's human rights policy.

After the students of the University of Ghent (UGent) joined the wave of protests going on in all parts of the world, the rector of UGent said that they decided to sever ties with three Israeli educational or research institutions. 

The university said that these institutes no longer align with UGent's human rights policy. The university’s rector, Rik Van de Walle announced that the university is cutting ties with MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, Volcani Center, which carries out agricultural research and Holon Institute of Technology.

“We currently assess these three partners as (very) problematic according to the Ghent University human rights test, in contrast to the positive evaluation we gave these partners at the start of our collaboration”, said the rector, as reported by The Print.

The rector said, an investigation by the University of Ghent found the alliance with MIGAL Galilee Research Institute and the Volcani Centre “were no longer desirable” due to its affiliation with Israeli ministries and about Holon Institute, the university said that the alliance “was problematic” because it provided material support to the army for actions in Gaza.

As per media reports, the protestors said that they welcome the university's decision but it is only the first step, the students want the university to break ties with all such institutes.

The Background

Hundreds of students occupied part of Ghent University (UGent) to protest against the Gaza war. The rector also met with the protestors and said on X, "Today I had a conversation with more than 200 activists. That was very serene and respectful. We listened to each other, even when opposing views were expressed. I am happy that the activists convinced me to talk to them."

Many faculty members also signed an open letter supporting the protest and condemning the university’s decision to continue research collaboration with Israel.

Students across the world are demanding that the institutes must cut ties with Israel's companies and they have also called for an immediate permanent ceasefire. The protests initially started in the US universities and then spread to other parts of the world including Belgium.

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