Four academic institutions in Norway have suspended collaborations with universities in Israel, a development that has direct support from the Palestinian BDS National Committee.
Oslo Metropolitan University has severed connections with Haifa University, saying it would not partner with other academic institutions in the Jewish state and would seek to end contracts with companies linked to Israel’s military.
It said in a statement that “the decision clearly expresses the university’s stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza and OsloMet’s practice in this situation, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of safeguarding academic freedom and the role of knowledge in society.”
The University of South Eastern Norway in Notodden put a halt to its relationship with Haifa University and Hadassah Academic College-Jerusalem, stating: “We want to give a clear message that the warfare that the state of Israel is now carrying out in Gaza is unacceptable, and undermines the democratic foundation on which all universities must build.”
The University of Bergen has ceased collaborating with the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, as did the Bergen School of Architecture.
The BDS committee pronounced that “this is what Palestinians, including universities and faculty unions, are calling for as the most effective means of solidarity.”