On 2 September, the Helsinki University Association of Teachers and Researchers issued a statement demanding that the University of Helsinki cease collaboration with Israeli universities. Roughly 1,600 members of the University of Helsinki's academic staff belong to the association. In the summer, the University leadership received a related petition signed by 740 members of the University community. On Friday, 5 September, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland announced that Finland had joined the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State solution.
The demands in the statement and petition targeted at the University of Helsinki pertain, among other things, to terminating exchange agreements, ceasing research collaboration with Israeli universities, as well as divesting certain investments and redrafting the University's investment guidelines.
The situation in Gaza is intolerable and raises great concern among the University community. On behalf of the University leadership, I offer my thanks for the recent statement. From the beginning, the University has condemned the use of violence in connection with the crisis in Gaza.
The University has had exchange agreements with two Israeli universities. These agreements were suspended in the spring of 2024.
In this situation where no international sanctions have been imposed, the University believes that the selection of research partners continues to fall under academic freedom. However, this freedom also comes with the responsibility to seriously consider the conditions of research collaboration. University researchers naturally have the right not to collaborate with Israeli partners.
The University of Helsinki has no direct ownership in Israeli businesses or in companies listed by the international BDS movement.
Personally, I have actively promoted the exclusion of Israel from projects funded under the EU's Horizon programme, both in Universities Finland (UNIFI) and in our international networks. Now the matter is being discussed in the EU.
In addition to these measures, the use of the RISK-I tool became compulsory in funding applications from the beginning of September. The purpose of the tool is to increase risk awareness and harmonise risk assessment. With the tool, members of our community can identify risks associated with international collaboration and receive help in managing them.
The University of Helsinki is deeply concerned about the destruction of universities in Gaza and the fate of students and staff. We are committed to contributing actively to rebuilding higher education and research infrastructures, once this is possible.
The University does not wish to suppress anyone in the University community from expressing their views in support of Palestine. At the same time, compliance with, for example, the rules for the use of facilities and information systems is important. Based on the information I have, no disciplinary action has been taken at the University against those who have advocated for Palestinians.
I share your grave concern about the situation in Gaza. The University is a community of multiple voices, and I hope that we will be able to continue the discussion in a constructive and respectful manner.
