Academics at the University of Edinburgh have urged the institution to make a public apology after its Vice-Chancellor, Sir Peter Mathieson, met with Daniela Grudsky, Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK.
The meeting was brought to public attention after Grudsky posted a photo on social media.
Several lectures and academics have spoken to The National, explaining their opinions on the matter following the pairs meeting earlier this month.
Nicola Perugini, an associate professor at the University of Edinburgh, told the paper that the institution should officially apologise and immediately divest from all companies that are connected to Israeli violence in Palestine.
Perugini told the paper that the University has a “legacy” of obstructing Palestinian freedom.
“Our former chancellor Arthur James Balfour signed the Balfour Declaration which prevented Palestinians from achieving self-determination.
The Balfour Declaration is a letter published in 1917 in which the British government endorse “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
Perugini said: “We should issue an apology [for the meeting] in line with our current review into our historic links to colonialism in Palestine.”
Samer Abdelnour, a lecturer on Stategic Management at the university is Palestinian by heritage, also told the National that the lack of an apology by the university was “incredibly disappointing”.
Abdelnour explained to The National how he expects the University to respond. “I think a first step would be an apology and a recognition that this was a mistake. But also a recognition that it’s not only about the meeting, but a broader way in which the university has approached Israel and Palestine.
He said: “It’s reflective of an unwillingness for the university to proactively address the more material links with firms or research partnerships that profit from Israeli violence.
“They need to take more seriously calls by hundreds of staff and thousands of students on the question of divestment. We want to work for a university that practices its very clear sustainability in human rights statements. Our students want to attend a university that isn’t complicit in the harm of their loved ones overseas.”
Angus Robertson, the Secretary for External Affairs also met with Grudsky and released an official apology after a photo from the meeting was posted on Grudsky’s social media.
In the statement, Robertson said:
“It is clear that it would have been better to ensure that the meeting was strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region.”
“I apologise for the fact that this did not happen.”
In the same statement the Scottish Government announced they will not meet with Israel again until “progress is made on peace.”
Meanwhile, a University of Edinburgh spokesperson told the Student that:
“The Israeli Deputy Ambassador requested a meeting as part of a wider visit to Edinburgh, to discuss the University’s approach to tackling antisemitism on campus.
“We will always be open to listen to any concerns that focus on the welfare of our staff and students, and endeavour to represent all members of our community.
“We hope for an immediate end to the violence, the release of remaining hostages, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Further information about the University’s engagement with staff and students in relation to the Israeli- Palestine conflict can also be found on our website – Israel and Palestine | A University of Sanctuary
“Walid Daqqa Library at University of Edinburgh Old College campus encampment 06” by Fjmustak is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
