IIT-Bombay students demand end of collaboration with Israeli universities

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay’s Ambedkar Periyar Phule study circle has appealed to the institute to put an end to collaborations or exchanges with Israeli universities on moral grounds and in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the accusations of genocide brought against Israel by international bodies.

A group of students from study circle wrote a letter to the IIT-Bombay management to raise their concern and seek action on Sep 8 after the institute put up a notice about funded research opportunities in Chemistry- Masters, PhD and PostDoc at Israel's Bar-Ilan University.

“In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the accusations of genocide brought against Israel by international bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, we feel compelled to raise a matter of significant ethical concern,” reads the letter.

“As students and members of this academic community, we believe it is time for us to reflect on the relationships we maintain with institutions complicit in actions that violate human rights. Israeli universities, many of which have been closely linked to state policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, stand in direct opposition to the values of justice, equality, and human dignity,” it adds.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, we urge the Institute and the student body to reconsider and divest from any collaborations or exchanges with Israeli universities. This is not only a moral obligation but also a meaningful act of support for those facing oppression, the letter stated.

“We cordially invite you and your students to an exclusive webinar (free registration) tailored particularly for students keen on discovering research programs in Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University. Please share this invite with interested students!” the invite from the Israeli university stated.

However, some IIT-Bombay students believe that the motive behind these collaborations is different and should be separated from socio-political issues.

“These collaborations come purely from the point of academic betterment of students, there is no ill will and we should understand this. Israel is a leading country in technology and research, and these collaborations are going to help us,” a final-year IIT-Bombay student was quoted as saying.

“If such a decision was needed then the government would have initiated it and IIT-Bombay would have implemented it. This is for the advancement of technology and academics,” he added.