UEL’s UCU stands in solidarity with and support for our Palestinian academic colleagues in their lived experience of ongoing oppression under a colonial and apartheid regime. We believe it is our duty to amplify the voices of colleagues at universities across Palestine and support the statement from Birzeit University calling for academics to “remember, record, survive and resist” 1 and for us to speak out about Genocide. 2
UEL academics have collaborative relationships with Universities across Palestine, including the Islamic University of Gaza, Al Azhar University, Gaza and Birzeit University. We deplore the destruction of educational infrastructure eg 9 October attack on Islamic University and last week’s attack on Al Azhar University, Gaza City being just the most recent evidence.3
A colleague from one of Gaza’s Universities has recently told us “I saw London’s huge demonstration as well as other ones in the UK and worldwide. Proud of all. We can see a positive change at the level of international nongovernmental community (public opinion). We hope this change accumulates to reinforce our resilience and to lead to lifting the siege and ending the occupation. Freedom, justice ⚖ and peace will prevail”.
2.https://www.birzeit.edu/en/news/do-not-be-silent-about-genocide
3. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/23/where-are-gazas-neighbourhoods-destroyed