The decision was already in the air, but it is now final: Radboud University is suspending collaboration with two Israeli partner universities. The participational bodies hoped for the severing of all ties with Israel, but the Executive Board is disregarding that advice.

The decision concerns university-wide partnerships with Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University, which Radboud University has terminated with immediate effect. The same applies to a partnership between the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies and Tel Aviv University.

Positive advice, but also criticism

On 12 May, the Executive Board already announced its intention to adopt the advice of the International Partnerships Committee. The participational bodies, among others, were still asked to comment on the proposed decision. That has now happened.

The University Joint Assembly (UGV) was positive about the decision to suspend the institution-wide partnerships, but also critical. The reason for this criticism is that the Executive Board is leaving room for individual collaborations between scientists and collaborations within consortia. Members of participational bodies were hoping that those ties would also be broken.

Consequences for consortia

But the Executive Board is disregarding their advice in this matter. According to the university administrators, this would unduly affect academic freedom. Moreover, the administrators point out the consequences of such a decision. Radboud University would have to withdraw from many Horizon research projects, as well as from IPCC, CERN, and ESO.

The suspension of ties with Tel Aviv and Hebrew University is not final. If the Israeli universities meet Radboud University’s conditions, collaboration will once again be possible. This would mean, for example, that Hebrew University would have to stop training students for the Israeli military intelligence.

Demonstration

Nijmegen Student Encampment activists, who are currently encamped near the Huygens building, referred to the Executive Board’s decision as ‘too little, too late’. They have announced that they will continue their actions until all ties with Israel are severed. Another demonstration is planned for this afternoon.