As part of the build-up of the International Day of Action, which will take place next Wednesday, 25 prominent academics have signed an open letter to universities worldwide calling on them to divest from Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The open letter, a copy of which was sent to The Palestine Chronicle, has been coordinated by the UK- based solidarity group Friends of Al-Aqsa (FoA) and a coalition of university student societies across the UK.
“In the last few weeks, we have seen boycotts, divestment from and sanctions on Russia for its invasion and occupation of Ukraine. Individuals and companies have boycotted Russian goods, and governments have imposed extensive sanctions on Russia in response to its actions,” the letter reads.
“We call on our institutions to take action and divest for Palestine. We have now seen what can be achieved when we unite against those who break international law, and we must do the same for Palestine,” the academics wrote.
Signatories include Professor Gilbert Achcar (SOAS), Professor Ilan Pappe (Exeter), Professor Robin D. G. Kelley (UCLA), Professor Emerita Caroline Rooney (Kent) and Professor Mohamed El-Gomati OBE (York). The letter has also been signed by prominent young Palestinian activist Mohammed El-Kurd.
On Wednesday, March 23, students at universities across the world are expected to hold demonstrations on campus and message their Vice Chancellors, calling for a full withdrawal of investments in companies complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine.
Below is the full list of the signatories:
Professor Gilbert Achcar, SOAS University of London Professor Talal Asad, City University of New York Haim Bresheeth, SOAS University of London
Marina Calculli, Sciences Po
Mike Cushman, LSE
Natalia Donner, Leiden University
Professor Mohamed El-Gomati OBE, University of York
Sai Englert, Leiden University
Assistant Professor Layal Ftouni, Utrecht University
Professor John Garrett, retired
Associate Professor David Heap, University of Western Ontario Sandew Hira, International Institute for Scientific Research Professor Khaled Hroub, Northwestern University/Qatar Professor Robin D. G. Kelley, UCLA
Dr. Jens Lerche, SOAS University of London
Associate Professor Ethan Mark, Leiden University
Elena Burgos Martínez, Leiden University
Professor Nur Masalha, SOAS University of London
Professor Ilan Pappe, University of Exeter
Dr. Barbara Pizziconi, SOAS University of London
Arnout van Ree, Leiden University
Professor Emerita Caroline Rooney, University of Kent Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, LSE
Professor Richard Seaford, University of Exeter
Dr. Henny Ziai, SOAS University of London
To read the full text of the letter, please click here.
