The University of Würzburg maintains collaborations with universities in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. The University Board is therefore following the current developments with great concern.
For almost 20 years now, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) and Tel Aviv University in Israel have been cooperating closely; in 2013, JMU and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology signed a partnership agreement. Further cooperations exist at faculty and chair level.
Students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies at universities in Israel and in the Palestinian territories, for example at the universities in Haifa and Bethlehem, as part of the Erasmus programme.
It is for this reason, too, that the JMU University Board is observing the current developments in Israel and their humanitarian, political and economic consequences with great concern.
“We are deeply shocked by the Hamas attack on Israel and the immeasurable suffering this attack has caused to so many innocent people,” reads a statement from the University Board. Special thoughts go out to JMU students, our fellow researchers and alumni in the affected areas.
“There are currently two JMU students on an Erasmus exchange at the Gordon Academic College of Education in Haifa. We are already in contact with them. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Foreign Office are trying to help them leave the country,” explains University President Prof. Paul Pauli.
In addition, another JMU student was in Bethlehem for an internship abroad. She has been able to leave the country for Jordan, where she is waiting for her flight home.
“Research knows no borders and connections with international colleagues help to foster an understanding of other cultures, bring nations together and promote peace in the world. For this reason, JMU cooperates with many partner universities worldwide,” the statement continues. It was all the more shocking to see how violent conflicts frustrate these efforts, it says.
“At the moment, our solidarity goes out to the people in Israel; our hearts are with them. We hope and wish them and us that the fighting will come to an end as soon as possible,” the University Board said.
