Board of the University in discussion with students and staff about the Israel-Gaza conflict

We all see the horrible images related to the Israel-Gaza conflict on the news every day, and we are terrified by the humanitarian plight of the people in the region. We are very worried about the well-being of the people, as well as about the impact that the conflict is having on our UG community.

Terms such as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are being used and discussed in various media expressions about the conflict. The guiding principle for the UG is, and will remain, that everyone inside the University walls must be able to feel safe while studying and working, and that no one is excluded. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression and academic freedom. On the other hand, a university will have to intervene when its staff members or students incite hatred or intolerance.

We have been receiving questions as well as petitions/letters making demands on our University in terms of how to deal with the conflict. We take the questions and comments extremely seriously and do our utmost to respond to them in the best possible way. We find it important to continue to communicate on the basis of mutual respect.

Individual discussions as well as larger meetings are held about the conflict, both within and outside faculties. Encouraging students and staff members to communicate with people from different backgrounds and with different standpoints will enable us to play an important role in countering polarization.

Over the past few months, the Board of the University has held good, open discussions with students and staff members from various organizations, including IJAR, the Dutch Union of Jewish Students, and UG Students for Palestine, about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Standpoints, feelings, and opinions were shared in understanding and respectful ways during these discussions. In addition, there was room to explore together how the UG community could respond to the conflict and its consequences. We have agreed to maintain an open dialogue with each other in order to be optimally able to relieve the worries that our students and staff have. We have also agreed to make a follow-up appointment to further discuss points below and other issues. The questions asked in the letter from Scholars for Palestine are also discussed below.

• Although the UG stands by its previously published statement, it is willing to investigate whether the statement could be expanded.
• It is good practice in teaching and research to assess partnerships in light of the values of the institution, and, if necessary, to reconsider them. The current partnerships with Israeli and Palestinian parties will be investigated in collaboration with the Knowledge Security Advisory Team.
• The UG agrees to facilitate and permit more interpretive meetings about the conflict. However, these meetings will have to be organized in accordance with the University procedures. It is important that everyone can safely participate. A good example is the Studium Generale event of 14 December 2023, in which the conflict was explained in more detail. We are working on a follow-up.
• The UG will support staff and students whose work or studies are affected by the effects of the conflict. The UG is investigating how the safety and support measures can be communicated more effectively.

The UG wants to support students and staff members who are feeling sad and have difficulty dealing with their feelings. For example, if you would like to talk about your mental well-being and the effect that this has on your studies or work, there are a variety of support opportunities available to students and staff.

The Board of the University,

Jouke de Vries
Jacquelien Scherpen
Hans Biemans