Statement of the National Institute of Chemistry regarding cooperation with Israeli institutions
The war in Gaza has caused immense suffering for the civilian population. A genocide against the Palestinian people is taking place. Israeli forces are relentlessly killing children, students, teachers, researchers, journalists, cultural workers, and other civilians. Schools, universities, libraries, archives, cultural heritage, and cultural institutions are being systematically destroyed, erasing the entire education and research sector in Gaza. Israel’s response to the unacceptable Hamas attack and the taking of hostages – through war crimes, collective punishment, and the starvation of the Palestinian population – is disproportionate and in complete contradiction to the principles of humanity.
Researchers at the National Institute of Chemistry cannot remain silent, nor can we cooperate with the Israeli state and its academic institutions. The actions of the Israeli state are contrary to our fundamental ethical principles of equal rights and human dignity. Therefore, similarly to some other European academic institutions, we are severing ties with Israeli universities and institutions that are involved in occupation, destruction of infrastructure, genocide, and starvation, and that do not oppose violations of international law.
We commit ourselves to the following:
- We will not cooperate in any form with Israeli institutions, nor will we announce, promote, or in any way encourage such collaborations;
- We will not participate in student, researcher, and/or staff exchanges with Israeli institutions, nor will we announce, promote, or encourage such exchanges;
- We will not take part in activities organized and/or hosted by Israeli institutions, whether independently or in collaboration with other institutions, nor will we announce, promote, or encourage participation in such activities.
We join the call of numerous universities urging the leaders of the European Union and its Member States to immediately suspend the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union (appeal of Belgian universities available at: Urgent appeal to the leaders of the European Union and the Member States to immediately suspend the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union). We also call on the European Commission to once again propose to the EU Council the termination of Israeli universities’ and other Israeli institutions’ participation in European research, development, and innovation programmes.
Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh
Director
Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala
President of the Scientific Council
Dr. Aleš Mihelič
President of the Board of Governors
Prof. Dr. Nataša Zabukovec Logar
Vice President of the Scientific Council
Doc. Dr. Matej Huš
Vice President of the Board of Governors