This attitude is becoming more difficult to defend with each passing day. There are increasingly credible indications of genocidal violence and repeated violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli government and the Israeli army. Consider, for example, the systematic destruction of maternity wards. According to an independent UN commission, Israel has destroyed at least 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza, and more than half of all cultural sites.

Such acts must be unequivocally condemned. The same goes, by the way, for Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including the hostage-taking of innocent civilians. Terrorism can never be a legitimate goal or means, but neither can genocidal violence. Nie wieder (Never again), we said after World War II. But can you stand by this while looking away from genocidal violence in Gaza?

If opportunism prevails over our moral compass, we damage the position of the free West and the interests of international law and order. If we apply double standards, others are allowed to do the same.

TU/e says it doesn’t want to engage in politics, but a Ukrainian flag has been flying on campus for years (which I support, by the way). Apparently, it’s easier to speak out against Russia than against a Western ally and partner.

According to Follow the Money, TU/e is using European subsidies to work on ‘dual-use’ materials and technologies, which could also benefit Israeli defense companies. This makes TU/e potentially complicit. I can no longer hide behind my finite pool of worry when my employer isn’t standing on the sidelines but is actually one of the (small) players on the field.

Let’s suspend collaborations with Israeli universities, at least until it has been proven that they don’t benefit the Israeli government or the Israeli army. The universities of Tilburg, Nijmegen, and Rotterdam have already taken this step. The more players follow, the stronger the message that the West is no longer looking away.