More than 6,600 academics, students and public figures sign open letter calling on Belgian universities to end cooperation with Israel

More than 6,600 academics, students and public figures have signed an open letter calling on Belgian universities to end their cooperation with Israel. These include the Flemish green deputy prime minister in Belgium’s outgoing federal government Petra De Sutter, the former VRT war correspondent Rudi Vranckx, the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and the British film director Ken Loach.

They say that “’Business as usual is tantamount to being complicant with the biggest violation of international law of our time.

The letter reads “As early as 15 October 2023, a week after the 7 October attacks, 800 scholars and experts in international law, conflict studies and genocide studies warned of the risk of genocide in a public statement. Today, more than a year later, are all witness to how their warning, based on deep academic expertise and historical knowledge, has become a reality.” 

“As scientists, students and employees of Belgian universities, we share responsibility for the policies of our own institutions and are not dependent on the actions or inactions of our respective governments. It is crucial that we not only reflect and teach the principles of international law, but also take concrete action to defend and strengthen these principles.”

See full VRT article and full letter