The University of Cape Town (UCT) senate has taken a stand on the ongoing war in Gaza by adopting two significant resolutions aimed at promoting peace and academic freedom.
In a meeting held on Friday, the UCT senate reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasising the urgent need for the safe passage of humanitarian aid and the release of captives, echoing a similar resolution passed in November 2023.
The senate also strongly condemned the destruction of Gaza’s education sector and the tragic loss of teachers and university staff during the war.
Furthermore, the UCT senate urged the international community to take decisive action to ensure the provision of essential humanitarian aid and the restoration of Gaza’s education system, which has suffered greatly as a result of the war.
Also read: SA welcomes UNSC demand for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The senate expressed concerns about any attempts to stifle academic discourse by equating criticism of Israel or Zionist policies with antisemitism.
The senate rejected the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in favour of a more nuanced understanding as articulated in the Jerusalem Declaration.
Additionally, the UCT senate pledged its support to academic colleagues in Gaza enduring difficult conditions and committed to assisting in the reconstruction of the academic sector post-war.
The senate also stood in solidarity with academics who have faced repercussions for speaking out against what they described as ‘the educaracide’ in Gaza.
In a second motion, the senate resolved that no UCT academic should engage with or continue relations with any research group or network associated with the Israeli Defence Forces or broader Israeli military establishment.
These resolutions adopted by the UCT senate will now be presented to the UCT council for consideration.
Also read:
Stellenbosch University senate members call for ceasefire in Gaza
Picture: Shawn Harrison / Unsplash