UPF students close access and suspend academic activity
About thirty students from the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) have decided to spend the night on the Ciutadella campus as a form of protest against the conflict in Gaza, which has led to the closure of access. This action has forced the university to suspend academic activity. The university has communicated through its social networks that activity at the faculty stops until 2 p.m., and that the campus library will remain closed at the same time.
Claims of pro-Palestine students
The pro-Palestine students have expressed their intention to take ‘new actions’ if the rectorate does not respond to their demands and breaks relations with companies and institutions in Israel. They have blocked access to the university with barricades, and the decision to suspend classes until noon was made by mutual agreement with the students.
Requirements and position of the UPF
The UPF approved a statement in which it commits not to institutionally support new academic cooperation projects with Israeli universities that support the activities of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. It will only keep active projects in this area that include populations from several countries. This position has been described as ‘shameful and cowardly’ by the Universities with Palestine entity.
Complaints and additional claims
Furthermore, it has been reported that the statement approved by the Governing Council does not include the students’ demands nor does it break ties with Israeli institutions. It has been criticized that students were not allowed to propose amendments, and it is regretted that the UPF has not made the State of Israel explicit as ‘the perpetrator of the genocide’ and has avoided breaking ties with companies collaborating in the genocide.