At present, a horrific crisis for humanity and human dignity is taking place in Gaza, the result of ongoing violence and violations of international law by the State of Israel. As a values-driven academic community, we feel deep pain and indignation at the human failure that has claimed so many innocent lives. This cannot be justified, just as the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 cannot be justified.
We see that the injustice and hopelessness surrounding the situation are causing grief, tensions, and polarisation worldwide, but also within our own community. As the governing body of our university, where we work together for positive change and a sustainable and just world, we consider it essential to (once again) speak out against such grave injustice.
We take very seriously the conclusion of the UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, as well as the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Our position is that the university as an institution should not make a pronouncement on the existence or non-existence of genocide. However, we have no reason to doubt the scholarly findings of international experts who conclude that genocide is occurring in Gaza. We therefore join the call of the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) to protect civilians, restore essential infrastructure, provide immediate humanitarian assistance, and ensure the immediate release of all hostages.
This reality affects us profoundly, both in who we are and in everything we stand for as an academic community. On our campus, we experience daily how difficult it is, on the one hand, to bring your own perspective, and on the other hand, to respect the perspective of others. This is precisely why, as university administration of VU Amsterdam, we continue to stress the importance of inclusive dialogue, the very “DNA” of our university: we must keep finding ways to engage in difficult conversations with sharpness and critical reflection, but equally with patience and compassion for others, always willing to learn from one another. Polarisation (and radicalisation) begins where conviction elevates itself to absolute truth. Only together can we stand against the global tendencies that threaten what we have built in terms of peace, democracy, sustainability, and justice. Especially now, we must hold on to each other, however difficult that may be.
VU Amsterdam is a place where we jointly seek the meaning of justice, in our teaching, our research, and in how we engage with one another and with the wider world. Our guiding principle in this is the assessment framework for international collaborations. Based on this framework, and drawing on all the expertise we possess as a knowledge institution, we jointly determine whether international collaborations are, or risk becoming, connected to gross violations of human rights (genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes) or to armed conflicts. If this is the case, we terminate the collaboration immediately. We have committed to reporting to the broader community the number of collaborations we discontinue.
We take our responsibility as a university seriously: through education, through science diplomacy, and through dialogue on our own campus. We do not always respond precisely according to demands placed upon us: we have explained on multiple occasions that we do not impose categorical boycotts without thorough investigation. Nor do we expose our staff to potential intimidation by publicly disclosing their names in connection with collaborations. At the same time, in the coming months and years we will do everything possible to equip our community and future generations with the tools to engage with an increasingly divided world. This includes our global citizenship programme, which will translate our A Broader Mind instrument into all VU education. We will also make a substantial investment in the dialogue programme on the VU campus, which will launch on 11 November. This programme will bring together different perspectives to explore what role the university can play in times of multiple conflicts. Especially now, it is crucial to create space for the difficult conversations that we, as VU, both want and need to have together.
With this open letter, we hope to offer our community a measure of recognition and acknowledgement. It is true that what is happening in the world is unacceptable. It is true that it does not in any way align with the values of an open, responsible, Vrije Universiteit. We understand the emotions this evokes. As a community, we resist through the channels described above. We count on everyone to engage in these crucial conversations together.
The Executive Board and Deans
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
For more information on how VU Amsterdam is addressing the situation in Israel and Palestine and on the assessment framework for international collaborations, please visit VU.nl.