Universities mobilize for lasting peace in the Middle East

France Universités is closely following the ongoing discussions at the United Nations General Assembly intended to lay the foundations for a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East and the recognition of a Palestinian state. Universities have a mission to produce and share knowledge as widely as possible and bear the responsibility to promote and defend humanist values. Almost two years after the attacks of October 7, a spiral of violence continues to ravage the region. We cannot ignore the gravity of the massacres and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. France Universités strongly and unequivocally condemns violence and dehumanization, regardless of its origin. 

France Universités reiterates its request to the French government to immediately relaunch the program to welcome researchers and students from Palestine who are currently unable to continue their research or studies following the destruction of almost all university facilities in their territory.

France Universités warns against severing relations with Israeli universities. Academic freedom enables discernment, and Science is often the last space where links between researchers can be disconnected from the logic of war that surrounds them. Obliterating historic partnerships to the detriment of the promotion and transmission of knowledge, would also betray the democratic and peaceful values on which university cooperation is based.