On February 6, the University of Galway released a statement on the current situation in Israel and Palestine given the high casualties of Palestinian civilians and the growing calls for a ceasefire.
Opening with an ode to Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week, Mandela was quoted saying “the world is now in greater need than ever for men and women of peace to stand up and let their voices be heard and their commitment felt.”
This comes after the release of a statement October 18, nearly five months prior, when the war first began after the attack on October 7.
The university has reiterated that their stance for peace in the region has not changed and that the University of Galway condemns “all acts of terror and violence and that we join in the calls for an immediate, permanent ceasefire.”
The Irish Centre for Human Rights, one of the leading organisations for the study of human rights was acknowledged as well, requesting people should seek to amplify the work the centre does in relation to upholding the bindings of international law.
Further, the university supports the ruling of the ICJ hearing in which, “Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.”
This conflict is not just personal to the students but academic professionals as well. This comes after the destruction of universities and academic facilities within Gaza and deaths of scholars and students by Israel.
An excerpt here says “as a university, as a community of scholars and students, the destruction of universities in Gaza and the consequent killing of so many students and academics by Israeli forces is particularly grievous to us.”
“As a university community, we have a particular responsibility to oppose the deliberate destruction of facilities of higher learning and the targeting of academics and we do here.”
Standing against all forms of discrimination, including Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism, the message spread was that this type of behaviour would not be accepted anywhere on campus in classrooms and beyond.
The University of Galway welcomes the review of the EU-Israel Association agreement. This is in response to the accusations that the State of Israel has been going against the agreements clause for human rights and they will continue to acknowledge the breaches in relation to other Israeli institutions.
Standing with both Israeli and Palestinian members of the University of Galway, the voices and views of all staff and students should be acknowledged and that further supports for those affected have been made available.
Some of these supports include series of activities and workshops around the theme of peace building and addressing trauma, financial assistance, and special accommodations provided to eligible students.
In addition to the range of mental health support services that are already offered, Counselling is in the process of recruiting a counsellor with expertise relevant to the current situation.
To read the full statement, you can see the link here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/universitystatements/