Continuous contacts between the University Management and Academics for Palestine Uppsala

2024-05-23

A tent demonstration is in progress in Carolina Park in support of Palestine in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The University Management is engaged in continuous dialogue with Academics for Palestine Uppsala, the organisation behind the tent camp. Photo: Anders Berndt.

The University Management and Academics for Palestine Uppsala, the organisation behind the protest in Carolina Park, are engaged in continuous dialogue. This article includes excerpts from the correspondence.

On 7 October 2023, Hamas carried out a terror attack against Israel, which led the Israeli government to start bombing and a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. The Palestine Groups in Sweden (Palestinagrupperna) started Tuesdays for Palestine on 9 November 2023. This is a collective name for activities at universities, other higher education institutions and folk high schools in support of Palestine. In autumn 2023, the organisation demonstrated outside Uppsala University Library, Carolina Rediviva.

Both the conflict itself and the demonstrations that are in progress around the world in response to the conflict are being monitored intensively by the media.

Statement from the University Board

The University Board (Konsistoriet) made a statement on 16 November 2023 in response to the conflict and the ongoing demonstrations:

“The University Board welcomes debate. So long as they do not seriously disrupt teaching or create dangerous situations, students and teachers must be able to express different points of view in accordance with applicable regulations and our tradition of academic freedom.”

Tent camps

In April 2024, students at American universities started pro-Palestine demonstrations, often in the form of tent camps on the university campus. In connection with the tent camps, pro-Israel counter-demonstrations have also occurred at American universities.

In mid-May, students at Swedish universities and other higher education institutions also began to set up pro-Palestine tent camps. In Uppsala, for example, there is a tent camp in Carolina Park. The organisation behind the tent camp in Carolina Park is Academics for Palestine Uppsala.

“We always welcome respectful debate and encourage everyone to stand up for their opinions and share their knowledge. It goes without saying that this also applies to the students who are camping and demonstrating,” said Anders Hagfeldt, Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University, in an interview on the University’s website concerning the tent camp in Carolina Park.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators in Uppsala have also demonstrated in several university buildings, among them the Segerstedt Building and Blåsenhus. Demonstrations indoors are not permitted without permission from the facilities manager or equivalent. Since the University, as employer and higher education institution, is responsible for the work environment of both employees and students, the Segerstedt Building is now only open to staff who work there and visitors.

“The protests were not violent in any way and I have great understanding for their frustration about the situation. It is of course extremely important to emphasise that neither antisemitism nor Islamophobia nor any other form of harassment has any place at a university. This is a place where people must be able to discuss even difficult and problematic issues, but naturally this must be done with respect,” said Pernilla Björk, Director of Communications at Uppsala University in an interview with the newspaper Aftonbladet concerning the closing of the Segerstedt Building.

Meetings and correspondence

Since the demonstrations in support of Palestine began, the University Management has had two meetings with the organisation Academics for Palestine Uppsala and an exchange of letters.

In their first letter on 21 November 2023, the organisation wrote: “We expect the same moral clarity and leadership you showed previously in defense of fundamental democratic norms and academic freedoms. As such, we ask that you:

- Clarify the University’s position on Israel’s invasion and siege of Gaza.

- Detail the concrete steps Uppsala University will undertake to ensure freedom of expression while ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all, specifically addressing rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

In its reply, Uppsala University wrote that “Uppsala University is committed to our values of academic freedom, democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and mutual respect. However, as a general rule, Uppsala University as an institution will not take a collective position on current events since this might inhibit the full freedom of dissent on which the University thrives. The University is the home and sponsor of critics, but not a critic itself. Staff and students at Uppsala University are covered by the law on freedom of expression and may express a personal opinion. This is not something we wish to or are able to influence.”

In their latest letter on 7 May 2024, Academics for Palestine Uppsala write that they wish to supplement two points that were raised at a meeting between the organisation and Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt on 18 April 2024.

These two points are, firstly, to call on Uppsala University to establish new collaborations with Palestinian universities, and secondly, that Uppsala University should discontinue relations with Israeli universities until the state of Israel complies with international law.

Establish new collaborations with Palestine

In their letter, Academics for Palestine write: “First, we asked that Uppsala University seek out and forge new collaborations with Palestinian universities. This includes entering into new long-term institutional collaborations with Palestinian universities in the West Bank and, when possible, Gaza, as well as opening funding mechanisms to support visits from Palestinian scholars from Palestine to Uppsala University.”

In his reply, Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt writes as follows:

“You want Uppsala University to actively seek cooperation with Palestinian universities and to support Palestinian universities, lecturers and students. I agree with you and will instruct our Division for Internationalisation to study the proposals for cooperation that you have formulated.

I am sure there are collaborations between researchers at individual level. We do not chart these collaborations for the same reason that we do not chart research collaborations at individual level with Israeli researchers.”

Discontinuing collaboration and academic freedom

With regard to the second point in the letter, the organisation writes: “Second, we maintain that to support the end of a regime of apartheid and oppression in Palestine, Uppsala University should suspend ties with complicit Israeli universities until the state of Israel complies with international law (stipulated in UN resolutions 242 and 194).”

In his reply, the Vice-Chancellor states:

“It is not the role of the University to take a stand on foreign policy conflicts. It is important for universities to stand free. If the University as an organisation were to take a position, this could limit the right of students and members of staff to express their opinions freely, which would ultimately jeopardise academic freedom. The collaborations are based on scientific and scholarly foundations and their aim is to advance knowledge. Research and education are transnational and global by their very nature.”

Statement from the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions

The Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF) made a statement concerning the conflict on 21 May 2024. SUHF is a cooperative body with a membership of 38 universities and other higher education institutions, including Uppsala University: “Sweden’s higher education institutions underline the importance of and defend freedom of expression and academic freedom. Peaceful demonstrations in legal forms are the right of every member of society and students and staff at higher education institutions also have the right to express their opinions.

Swedish higher education institutions have neither a mandate nor a responsibility to pursue foreign policy issues. This means that neither members of staff, nor students, nor stakeholder groups can expect higher education institutions, as employers or education providers, to express opinions on foreign policy or to take a stand on foreign policy issues. Academia must be free from outside pressures.”

Opportunities for those at risk

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor also describes two collaborative agreements that are relevant in this context:

“Is there anything else we could do? Uppsala University participates actively in the international network Scholars at Risk (SAR), which supports individual academics at risk. The SAR programme provides scholars in war zones or suffering oppression with opportunities to work at one of our departments.

Uppsala University also has a scholarship for Master’s students from universities in countries at war, disaster areas or who are otherwise studying in threatening situations. Palestinian students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. I will make sure that information about calls for applications is more visible.”