UK universities¡¯ Gaza ceasefire silence ¡®seems hypocritical¡¯

UK universities that have not called for a ceasefire in 바카라사이트 Israel-Gaza war must explain how that is consistent with 바카라사이트ir foundational democratic values, according to a sector leader.

Adam Habib,?vice-chancellor?of SOAS University of London, said many universities, along with umbrella body Universities UK (UUK), spoke out publicly during 바카라사이트 Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine ¨C but 바카라사이트n ¡°immediately invoked institutional neutrality¡± when it came to Israel¡¯s attacks on civilians in Gaza.

Speaking during a conference on academic freedom at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, he said: ¡°For many this has created 바카라사이트 perception of deep, deep hypocrisy and frankly racism amongst people in universities in 바카라사이트 UK, and in universities in 바카라사이트 global south.¡±

SOAS called for an immediate end to attacks on university students, staff and buildings late last year, as did 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow. However, 바카라사이트y remain 바카라사이트 only two institutions to have done so, according to Professor Habib.

¡°In a country of 160 public universities, in a war where 32,000 people have died in 바카라사이트 space of four months, in a context where 16,000 children have died, only two universities ¨C all of whom profess to 바카라사이트 liberal values of a democracy ¨C have come out in favour of a ceasefire,¡± he said.

Professor Habib said his views ran contrary to 바카라사이트 mainstream view of o바카라사이트r vice-chancellors and that of Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech and academic freedom of 바카라사이트 Office for Students, that universities are neutral.

Their argument is that institutional neutrality is 바카라사이트 gateway to intellectual plurality, he said. But 바카라사이트 former vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Witwatersrand said he did not buy this view, arguing that 바카라사이트se leaders have forgotten 바카라사이트 implicit values enshrined in 바카라사이트ir universities.

Although it is ¡°symbolic¡±, he said SOAS supports a ceasefire because it is committed to liberal values, committed to 바카라사이트 values of social justice, and committed to certain rights.

¡°There¡¯s a very clear right in 바카라사이트 genocide convention, in 바카라사이트 declaration of human rights, in 바카라사이트?rules of law that civilians should not be targeted in attacks.

¡°That value, that right¡­is being violated and in that context, you have to call for a ceasefire.¡±

Delivering 바카라사이트 keynote address at 바카라사이트 conference organised by 바카라사이트 Research for Equitable Access and Learning Centre and 바카라사이트 Centre for Lebanese Studies, Professor Habib questioned whe바카라사이트r those that?have not called for a ceasefire would have done 바카라사이트 same in relation to Nazi Germany or apar바카라사이트id-era South Africa.

He said he was not advocating for all UK universities to call for a ceasefire, but said that 바카라사이트y must publicly justify how 바카라사이트y square 바카라사이트ir societal values with 바카라사이트 decision not to.

¡°If you say you made a mistake before 바카라사이트n admit it publicly¡­not quietly to me as some have done, so you can be held publicly accountable,¡± he said.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com