Rector Paulo Cesar Montagner announced, in a session of the University Council (Consu) held on Tuesday afternoon (30), the unilateral termination of the cooperation agreement between Unicamp and the Technion Institute of Technology, in Israel, in protest against what he called genocide in the Gaza Strip.
According to the document addressing the termination, the rector revealed that the University had been monitoring with concern the escalating actions of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people, but argued that "the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that violations of human rights and the dignity of the Palestinian population have become an unacceptable constant," the document states. Montagner also noted that Unicamp had already spoken out against the situation in Gaza on two other occasions and that the termination would reaffirm "its position against the genocide of the Palestinian population, which violates all the principles and values of our University."
The agreement between Unicamp and Technion aimed to foster academic cooperation through joint research projects and/or exchanges of faculty/researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, with recognition of credits from pre-approved courses obtained at the partner university.
According to the rector, the decision to break off the alliance reinforces the stance of the Brazilian government – which condemns Israeli actions in the region – and of several higher education institutions around the world that have also expressed opposition to the conflict.
Throughout the day, students camped out near the Rector's Office, awaiting a vote on a motion calling for the end of the collaboration agreement with the Israeli Institute. The motion was never voted on due to the rector's announcement of the termination.
The dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Débora Jefrey, said the matter has been discussed among faculty and students, and a motion of condemnation against what she called "atrocities" committed by Israel was even approved at the faculty. "We are for life. We are against genocide," she said.
Councilor Angelo Basi provided information about the Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes Unicamp employee and Councilwoman Mariana Conti. "We're 200 nautical miles away. We're already in the risk zone," he said of the humanitarian effort. "These are people who, out of love, are putting their own lives at risk," the councilor warned.
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