Israel boycott petition receives Irish support

There is growing support in Ireland for a petition calling for the boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

Over 170 Irish academics have signed the document that has been set up by the group Academics for Palestine. The petition states: “In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for an institutional academic boycott of Israel, we pledge not to engage in any professional association with Israeli academic, research and state institutions and with those representing these institutions, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”

The petition argues that Irish researchers have worked with Israel to develop defence technology with EU funds. Academics for Palestine says Ireland has worked with Israel on 257 projects so far, including seven listed as ‘security’ and 13 as ‘aerospace’.

Commenting, Academics for Palestine chair Jim Roche, says: “It is all the more shameful that Irish universities have participated in joint research programmes, funded by the EU, in collaboration with Israeli educational institutes and companies with strong links to the Israeli military.”

The European Commission responded by saying that research undertaken by Israeli entities in the occupied territories does not received research and innovation funding from the EU. The EU institutions adds: “In accordance with rules drawn up by the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission, funding for projects under Horizon 2020 can only be drawn down for research that will be applied for civilian purposes only.”

The petition was launched in February.