After lunch, some 30 activists walk across campus in a silent march. Photo Resource Wageningen for Palestine demands an independent ethical advisory committee to investigate ties to Israeli institutions. They set up two tents on the bridge today, walked a silent march, and are holding informational meetings later this afternoon. A university spokesman confirmed that there will be no such thing as an ethical advisory committee.
‘After 19 months of genocide against the Palestinian people, you have still not taken any action to break ties with complicit Israeli institutions’, Wageningen for Palestine wrote Thursday morning in a letter to the executive board (EB). ‘Despite all the evidence we have presented, you choose to ignore staff and students who have spoken out against WUR’s complicity through many petitions, protests and negotiations. You claim to want dialogue but you’d rather ignore staff and students to protect your positions.’
Independent advice
The action group refers to the ethical committees set up at universities in Tilburg, Rotterdam, and Leiden, among others. ‘Most have de facto concluded that breaking ties is the moral responsibility of their respective boards. Many of the partners discussed in the reports are also current partners of Wageningen University, some complicit in genocide.’
‘Since you have ignored the evidence and arguments that staff and students have provided over the last year, Wageningen for Palestine now calls for the establishment of an independent ethical advisory committee at WUR as well. They will be tasked to produce a report with binding advice on the future of ties that WUR has with Israeli partners.’
Escalation
The action group says their actions so far have been peaceful, but that they cannot rule out escalation if their demands are not met within a reasonable time. ‘ We are sure you have seen the anger and deep disappointment expressed at other universities. We would all like to prevent that.’
The group’s program of action today revolves around the commemoration of the Nakba. After lunch, some thirty activists walked in a silent protest across campus. This afternoon’s events include another lecture on the history of Nakba, an information session on the action group, and a joint viewing of a documentary.
No blackmail
Spokesman Vincent Koperdraat says, on behalf of the university this afternoon that the EB saw no grounds for establishing an advisory committee in the past and does not intend to do so for the time being. ‘The tone of this letter is threatening. We made it clear during previous actions last year that we will not be blackmailed, and that still applies.’
About the ethiical advisory committees at other universities that give advice on institutions WUR also has ties with, he says that the board reads and discusses all reports. ‘But each university makes its own considerations.’
Translated using DeepL
