University ‘disengages’ from Israeli academic institutions

A motion to disengage academic relations with Israeli institutions has been endorsed by South Africa’s University of the Western Cape (UWC), the university announced on Friday 28 June, writes Msindisi Fengu for Daily Maverick.

In May, then International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor called for greater university student activism and boycotts against Israel. This came after UWC and the University of Cape Town (UCT) made official statements calling for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza. (Last week, the UCT council adopted a resolution which calls for the boycotting of all Israeli academic institutions and researchers who are affiliated to the Israel Defense Forces.)

The motion by UWC, spokesperson Gasant Abarder said, was endorsed and supported by the council, senate, convocation and the student representative council. “This motion underscores the university’s unwavering support for justice, human rights and rebuilding Palestinian higher education,” the university said.
Full report on the Daily Maverick site