We are a group of concerned academics
who have co-ordinated an open letter, co-signed by 100 members of the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University. In the letter (see below) we have outlined the Israeli-Government led scholasticide and plausible genocide, as ruled by the International Court of Justice, taking place in Palestine. This letter was emailed to the Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of all three universities today.
We have called upon our universities to take immediate action and today have also launched our letter on Change.org inviting academics and the wider community to lend their support.
Open letter to South Australian Universities:
Scholars Unite: Urgent Call for University Action on Gaza
Adelaide, South Australia – Monday 26th February 2024
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches dire proportions, scholars from the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University unite in a powerful call to action. With 36,671 lives lost or missing, including a staggering 60% women and children, and countless more injured, we cannot stand idly by.
The Scholars Against the War on Palestine (SAWP) campaign has brought to light the harrowing extent of scholasticide ravaging Gaza. Israel's relentless onslaught, sparing no educational institution, has exacted a devastating toll. With each strike, Gaza's intellectual fabric is torn apart, resulting in the tragic loss of 231 educators, 95 University Professors and scientists, and 4,237 students.
Israel's targeted destruction of key educational institutions, including the University College of Applied Sciences and Technology on October 19th, Al-Azhar University on November 6th, Al-Quds Open University on November 15th, and Gaza University on December 4th, 2023, have left an indelible mark of destruction. This relentless campaign of destruction culminated in the heart-wrenching obliteration of Gaza's final bastion of higher learning, Al-Israa University, on January 17th, 2024. Throughout this period of relentless violence, 90% of schools and 60% of libraries have been laid to waste, further exacerbating the educational crisis gripping Gaza.
Moreover, over 80% of those facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide are in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides critical aid to two million Palestinians, yet essential funding has been halted based on unevidenced allegations from the Israeli government.
In a groundbreaking verdict rendered on January 26th, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has unequivocally asserted that Israel, alongside all 153 state parties to the 1948 Genocide Convention, must urgently implement measures to facilitate the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid. These actions are imperative to alleviate the dire living conditions endured by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Australia's unwarranted suspension of UNRWA funding, devoid of substantiated evidence, undermines the integrity of this historic ruling. By perpetuating this freeze, Australia risks complicity in the perpetuation of genocide.
Four Norwegian universities have suspended ties with Israeli universities. In October 2023, RMIT terminated its relationship with Elbit and its subsidiaries.
In response to this urgent crisis, we call upon our universities to also take immediate action:
Terminate all partnerships with Israeli academic institutions involved in scholasticide.
Affirm solidarity with the ICJ ruling, demanding Israel prevent acts falling within the Genocide Convention.
Cease all collaborative activities with Israeli partners contributing to genocidal acts until the ICJ case is resolved.
Endorse the Australian government's plea for an immediate ceasefire.
Advocate for the urgent reinstatement of UNRWA funding.
Demand the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and Israeli prisons.
Implement measures to support affected students and staff.
Our universities must lead by example and endorse these critical actions. As academics, educators and researchers, we have a moral obligation to speak out against injustice. We must protect educational institutions and the individuals within them. The world is watching. We must act urgently to uphold justice, human rights, and the rule of law.
The wider community have the opportunity to support this Urgent Call for University Action on Gaza.
See the letter with 100 ACADEMICS’ signatures
Media Contacts:
Professor Mohamad Abdalla AM
Director: Centre for Islamic Thought and Education
University of South Australia
P +61 8 8302 4575
E mohamad.abdalla@unisa.edu.au
Dr Sanam Mustafa
School of Biomedicine
University of Adelaide
P +61 8 8313 4101
E Sanam.mustafa@adelaide.edu.au
Associate Professor Alice Gorman
College of Arts, Humani?es and Social Sciences
Flinders University
P +61 428 450 418
E alice.gorman@flinders.edu.au