Senator Ruane Calls on TCD to Terminate Business and Research Relationships with Israeli Institutions

Senator Ruane Calls on TCD to Terminate Business and Research Relationships with Israeli Institutions

A group of sitting and former Senators on the University of Dublin panel in Seanad Éireann have this week sent a letter to the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, calling for the immediate termination of business and research relationships between the College and Israeli institutions and companies, until such a time as the war in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine have ended. The letter, developed by Senator Lynn Ruane, was co-signed by former Senators: David Norris, Ivana Bacik, Shane Ross and Carmencita Hederman.

The group have expressed their deep concern regarding the College’s refusal so far to condemn the brutal murder of innocent Palestinian civilians, the untold destruction of the Gaza strip, and the enforced deprivation, oppression and displacement of the Palestinian people, by the State of Israel. When the letter was first authored, 30,000 people had lost their lives, more than two thirds of whom were women and children, while approximately 70,000 people had been confirmed as injured on account of the Israeli bombardment. These tolls have continued to rise, unabated, in the weeks since the letter was developed.

Reporting by The Ditch in February identified that Trinity College Dublin has several investments with Israeli companies, some operating in occupied Palestine, which have been blacklisted by the United Nations. Separate reporting from Trinity News highlighted ongoing research collaborations and business relationships between Trinity College Dublin and various Israeli institutions, worth more than €2.5 million to the College. The group of current and former members argue that, under current circumstances, these relationships are no longer tenable. Four Norwegian universities have taken steps to suspend agreements with complicit Israeli universities, setting example that other higher education institutions can, and should, follow.

The letter additionally highlighted discrepancies in the College’s response to the war in Gaza when compared with its stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The College previously advised that its “stance is to remain neutral on issues such as this”, however the group noted in their letter that this directly contradicted its response to the invasion of Ukraine, wherein a statement was issued by the College stating: “Trinity College Dublin condemns the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people at this most difficult time. A peaceful resolution to the conflict is needed.”

Speaking at Leinster House, Senator Ruane stated that the letter intended to demonstrate the consensus that exists politically and socially on this issue: “As public representatives, each of our political priorities won’t have always aligned, but we understand the power of consensus in the pursuit of peace and justice. Each of us needs to do everything in our power, individually and collectively, to halt the Palestinian genocide. To choose not to act is an action in itself, and so, together, we urge the College to take positive and tangible action to be a clear and urgent voice for the protection of civilian life, and against genocide, in Palestine.”