Universities in Spain announced their readiness to sever connections with any Israeli academic institutions that do not explicitly commit to peace amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This wave of student protests advocating for an end to the violence in Gaza and for breaking ties with Israel has accelerated throughout Western Europe, inspired by similar demonstrations on US college campuses.
The board of university chancellors in Spain supported these protests in a carefully worded statement, threatening to halt collaborations with Israeli universities and research centres that do not demonstrate a strong dedication to peace and adherence to international humanitarian law.
However, the statement did not satisfy the students involved in several protest camps set up around Spain, which have remained peaceful.
Sebastian Gonzalez, a 28-year-old student at the Complutense University of Madrid, emphasized that the protests would continue until their demands to cut ties with Israel were met.
Protests in Spain began on April 29 at Valencia University and have since spread to multiple locations including Madrid, the northern Basque country, Alicante, and Andalucia.
The conflict in Gaza escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in over 1,170 civilian deaths.
Israel’s subsequent military response has reportedly led to approximately 35,000 deaths, primarily among women and children in Gaza, as stated by Gaza’s health ministry.
Spain previously contributed €250,000 to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza, where Palestinians are facing a severe humanitarian crisis, including shortages of food and water.
The funds would be utilized for primary healthcare, psychological and social support, and mental health care in Gaza.
