Due to ongoing student protests, the University of Malaga temporarily suspends its relations with universities and research centers in Israel

The University of Malaga (UMA) has decided to temporarily suspend cooperation agreements with Israeli universities and research centers while the military offensive in Gaza continues or until they receive a firm commitment to peace and strict compliance with international humanitarian law. This decision was taken by the Rector of the University, Teo López, who informed the Extraordinary Board of Directors of this decision, which also approved a series of cooperation measures with Palestinian universities.

By virtue of his authority, the Rector has decided to temporarily suspend existing agreements with Israeli universities – namely Tel Aviv University, Technion International University, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev – pending a clear statement from the universities concerned committing them to a firm and unambiguous commitment to peace.

The cooperation with these universities takes place within the framework of the mobility programme Erasmus+KA171 (with non-EU third countries).

At the same time, work is being done to intensify cooperation with the Palestinian science and higher education system and to expand the existing cooperation, volunteer and care programs for the refugee population as well as the activities offered in the centers. The Vice-Rectorate for Research is also working to include various measures in its own plan to strengthen cooperation and research networks with Palestinian universities.

Representing the UMAxPalestine network, lecturers Carolina Jiménez Sánchez, from the Department of International Law and International Relations, and Rosa Isabel Martínez Lillo, from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, were invited to speak about the conflict from the perspective of their respective disciplines and reiterate their willingness to continue collaborating with the University of Málaga in the analysis and future actions related to this conflict, as they have done in recent weeks.

As for agreements with Palestinian universities, there are mobility agreements with Al Quds University, Al Quds Open University, Birzeit University, AL-Aqsa University and a framework agreement with the Health Work Committees. Among the international cooperation projects, UMA includes the initiative “The Human Rights of Palestinian Women: Stories of Resilience in Times of Covid 19”, which is funded by the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Protests continue

The students, who have been occupying the general library for 23 days, gathered in front of the Rectorate during the University Council meeting. Their spokespersons assured that the protest actions would continue, as they considered the agreed measures to be insufficient.

The protesters are demanding that the University of Malaga take a “clear and forceful” stance against the genocide of the Palestinian people and immediately sever all current and future relations with entities such as banks that have relations with Israel. The Malaga for Palestine platform has expanded its demands to end the curfew: they are also calling on the Malaga City Council to condemn the genocide and sever relations with Israel, while also calling on the UMA to provide permanent premises to this organization.

The young people denounced the UMA’s strategy of “harassment and attrition” towards those locked up in the public library. In front of the rector’s office they chanted “Israel murders, the UMA sponsors” and “The university cannot remain indifferent to the genocide in Palestine”.