BY LUC SELS. The violence in Israel and Gaza, and increasingly on the West Bank, is felt deeply in the hearts of many members of our University community. We support the call for all parties to seek a peaceful solution, to respect the law of war and international humanitarian law, and to ensure that there are no more innocent victims. Our priority now is to care for our Israeli and Palestinian colleagues and students and all those who feel so affected by this conflict.
Rector Luc Sels conveyed this message to colleagues and students on behalf of the Executive Board of KU Leuven.

The violence in Israel and Gaza, and increasingly in the West Bank, is felt deeply in the hearts of many members of our University community. Many of us share these strong feelings of outrage, desperation, despair and anger. For our students and colleagues from the region, who often have family and friends on the ground, the escalation of violence is undeniably disruptive. We, too, are following developments with great concern.

As a University, we condemn all forms of violence against civilians, in Israel, in Gaza, in the West Bank and elsewhere. We support the call for all parties to seek a peaceful solution, to respect the law of war and international humanitarian law, and to ensure that there are no more innocent victims. We express this position in our many personal contacts, in our discussions with affected communities inside and outside KU Leuven, and in our diplomatic contacts. We choose the power of (quiet) diplomacy over positions that could complicate diplomatic initiatives.

Dialogue, respect, and caring

Our core mission now is to care for the well-being of our students and staff. Let us provide every opportunity for dialogue, prioritising respect and inclusion in all circumstances. The University must be a safe place for all our students and staff, regardless of their origins, backgrounds or beliefs. Nuance and respect for each other’s position and sensitivities, in order to maintain calm in mutual relations and debates, play a crucial role in this effort.

We have students and colleagues from both communities. Both sides are now suffering great uncertainty about family, loved ones, friends and, more generally, the future. Israeli or Palestinian, we must try to accommodate and support them as best we can. That caring must be given full scope now, which requires inclusive and connecting communication instead of judgmental and polarising opinions.

Respectful debate

We thank all the students and staff who have extended this concern for others so widely over the past few weeks. At the same time, we are troubled by signs of increasing polarisation and castigation of those denoted as ‘on the other side’ in our society. Right now, it is of utmost importance to prioritise dialogue, leave room for other perspectives and engage in respectful conversation. Let us give each other the opportunity to think and speak openly. There is no place for exclusion, hatred or violence at this University. We do not help the citizenry there by importing conflict between their leaders here.

Tomorrow’s situation will undoubtedly be different from today’s. Positions evolve and inspire policy, a policy that − as always at KU Leuven − will have to be shaped collectively. Moreover, we will continue to engage in quiet diplomacy and keep channels of communication open to enable respectful internal debate. This is also important externally. Universities inspire the society in which they operate. We therefore encourage scientists who can speak knowledgeably to share their expertise with society. Adequate contextualisation is so crucial in this conflict.

We are a University, not a political institution. We are an open community that should be able to find a place for different positions. Yet the calls to vigorously condemn and take a stand do not leave us unmoved. They are indicative of intrinsic involvement. But it is not our mission as a university to take sides or positions.

Our priority now is to care for our Israeli and Palestinian colleagues and students and all those who feel so affected by this conflict. Together, let us strive to create a respectful and caring community for all of us. As a KU Leuven student, you can always contact student services at your campus if you have specific questions or problems, or just need someone to lend an open ear. As a KU Leuven employee, you can contact your supervisor or utilise these channels.