Rector of the University of Helsinki Sari Lindblom expressed grave concern about the situation in Gaza and condemned the use of violence in connection with the crisis, according to a statement released by the University on Monday.
She also supported the statement issued by the Helsinki University Association of Teachers and Researchers earlier this month demanding termination of collaboration with Israeli universities.
“The situation in Gaza is intolerable and raises great concern among the University community. On behalf of the University leadership, I offer my thanks for the recent statement,” said Lindblom, adding that from the beginning, the University has condemned the use of violence in connection with the crisis in Gaza.
The University of Helsinki is deeply concerned about the destruction of universities in Gaza and the fate of students and staff, she said.
“We are committed to contributing actively to rebuilding higher education and research infrastructures, once this is possible,” the Rector said.
She said the University does not wish to suppress anyone in the University community from expressing their views in support of Palestine.
“I share your grave concern about the situation in Gaza. The University is a community of multiple voices, and I hope that we will be able to continue the discussion in a constructive and respectful manner,” said Lindblom.
The University has had exchange agreements with two Israeli universities and these agreements were suspended in the spring of 2024.
On 2 September, the Helsinki University Association of Teachers and Researchers issued a statement demanding that the University of Helsinki cease collaboration with Israeli universities.
Roughly 1,600 members of the University of Helsinki’s academic staff belong to the association. In the summer, the University leadership received a related petition signed by 740 members of the University community.
The demands in the statement and petition targeted at the University of Helsinki pertain, among other things, to terminating exchange agreements, ceasing research collaboration with Israeli universities, as well as divesting certain investments and redrafting the University’s investment guidelines.
The University of Helsinki has no direct ownership in Israeli businesses or in companies listed by the international BDS movement.
“Personally, I have actively promoted the exclusion of Israel from projects funded under the EU’s Horizon programme, both in Universities Finland (UNIFI) and in our international networks. Now the matter is being discussed in the EU,” she added.
- Helsinki University
- Condemns
- Gaza
- Attacks
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
