Swiss Academics Demand End to Research Agreement with Israel Amid Gaza Concerns
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A growing chorus of scholars in Switzerland is calling for a halt to scientific collaboration with Israel, alleging complicity in actions taken in Gaza.
More than 250 academics from across Switzerland have signed an open letter addressed to the State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation (Sefri), demanding the termination of a research agreement with Israel. The letter, reported by 24 Heures and Tribune de Genève on Saturday, accuses Israel of engaging in actions that constitute “complicity with the crimes committed in Gaza.” The signatories are urging Sefri to conduct a thorough “evaluation of current projects” at Swiss universities to identify any potential ties to the Israeli military and what they describe as the “genocidal policy” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Calls for Termination of “Lead Agency” Agreement
At the heart of the controversy is the “Lead Agency” agreement between the Swiss National Fund (SNF) and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF), initially established in 2022. The academics are specifically requesting its termination. This agreement facilitates joint research projects between scientists in Switzerland and Israel.
The movement to challenge academic ties with Israel gained momentum earlier in 2024, with protests already occurring on Swiss campuses. According to Julia Steinberger, co-president of the Collective for Academic Freedom, Democracy and Solidarity (Clads) – the organization spearheading the current effort – awareness of the “Lead Agency” agreement only emerged recently. “We only discovered the existence of this agreement very late, when the FNS opened applications last fall,” Steinberger explained. “This convention was therefore denounced ‘as soon as we became aware of it,’ with the only time remaining to collect the signatures.”
Ethical Responsibilities of Researchers
Ethical considerations are central to the academics’ argument. Julia Steinberger, a professor of ecological economics at Lausanne, emphasized the unique status Israel holds in international scientific partnerships. “This partnership is only open to a ‘handful of countries’ in the world, which gives Israel a status ‘all the more privileged, and therefore all the more problematic’,” she stated in interviews with Lake Geneva dailies.
Steinberger, who is also the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, powerfully articulated the interconnectedness of science and politics. “Being the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I am well placed to know that science is never completely disconnected from politics. To prevent it from being at the service of malicious powers, it is precisely our responsibility as researchers to demand ethical guarantees in the context of our work.” This sentiment reflects a broader debate about the role of academia in addressing global conflicts and upholding moral principles.
Government Response and Ongoing Debate
The Federal Department of Economy, Training and Research (DEFR) has indicated it will not take a position on the matter until Sefri prepares a response to the concerns raised by Clads. The situation highlights a growing tension between fostering international scientific collaboration and ensuring that such partnerships align with ethical standards and respect for human rights. The debate underscores the increasing pressure on academic institutions to scrutinize their relationships with entities involved in politically sensitive situations.
