Ghent University in Belgium is set to withdraw from five remaining EU Horizon research projects with Israeli partners, as announced by rector Petra De Sutter. This decision follows a prior announcement in 2024 regarding the university’s intention to exit such collaborations. De Sutter noted that the university had previously lost several partnerships due to this initiative and acknowledged the consequences, including diminished funding and research opportunities. However, she clarified that not all cooperation with Israeli institutions is ending, as some projects are deemed unrelated to serious human rights violations. The withdrawal is to be executed using a method that avoids unilateral contract terminations and major compensation claims, following a board of governors meeting.
Why It Matters
Ghent University’s decision to withdraw from these projects reflects broader tensions regarding academic collaborations involving Israeli institutions, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about human rights and ethical research partnerships. The university’s actions coincide with rising scrutiny of international collaborations with Israel amid criticisms of its policies in the occupied territories. The implications of this withdrawal could affect not just academic funding and research opportunities for the university but also contribute to a larger discourse on the role of academic institutions in political and ethical issues related to Israel-Palestine relations.
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