ACUP statement on the escalation of war in the Middle East

In view of the events of the past few days in Israel and Gaza and with the escalation of the conflict, we wish to express that:

1) We show our full solidarity with the affected population in the territories as a whole and state that no conflict can justify suffering and victims among the population;

2) Catalonia's public universities have activated our support services to the university community of Palestinian and Israeli origin, and we work in line with the International Emergencies Commission of the Inter-University Council of Catalonia to coordinate with the Government of Catalonia joint actions and to respond to needs arising from the serious situation;

3) We convey our support to the Israeli and Palestinian scientific community whose activity has once again been shaken by events of a warlike nature. Universities and science in general are a space of peace, cooperation and diversity incompatible with war or terrorism. We place our institutions at the service of the academic and scientific community affected to contribute, as far as possible, so that they can continue to carry out their activities with guarantees of security and well-being.

4) We vindicate political channels based on dialogue and negotiation as the only valid means of resolving conflicts;

5) We urge the international community, particularly the institutions of the European Union and its member states, to work with the aim of generating the political conditions that will allow us to stop the warlike confrontation, avoid the escalation of this conflict, respond to its human and material consequences, and promote a future scenario of peace and harmony between people and peoples;

Aware of the complexity of the conflict, its consequences cannot be ignored and as the association of public universities in Catalonia, from our firm commitment to democratic values, peace and human rights, we feel directly challenged and wish to express our full willingness to collaborate with all institutions promoting political channels that lead to dialogue and detente to resolve this conflict.

Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP)

11 October 2023

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