Trinity to set up task force to consider Israeli links as management meet with students
Trinity College will set up a task force to consider engagements with Israeli institutions and will work to divest from investments in companies with activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, university management has said.
It comes as Trinity closed to the public in recent days amid protests over its ties to Israel, which included the barricading of the Book of Kells exhibition and a full-time occupation on the front lawn of the campus.
Trinity management met with student representatives this afternoon to discuss the issues raised by protesters on campus and how to facilitate the return to normal university services, a spokesperson confirmed.
They also “set out the university’s position” on issues relating to Gaza, divestment, links to universities in Israel and supporting Palestinian scholars.
A spokesperson welcomed reports of a ceasefire and said the university fully understands the driving force behind the encampment and it is in “full solidarity with the students in our horror at what is happening in Gaza”.
They also said the university management continues to engage with Jewish staff and students who are impacted.
The university will set up a task force to consider its links to Israeli universities and will work to divest from investments in companies with activities in Occupied Palestinian territories.
It will also work to ensure more places at Trinity are available to students fleeing Gaza.
“Trinity has initiated a process to divest from investments in companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard,” they said.
The process is expected to be completed by June and follows the government decision in relation to the Irish Strategic Investment Fund.
They confirmed the university will continue to work with stakeholders to provide further places for students from Gaza, following six Palestinian postgraduate and two undergraduate students who are continuing their education at Trinity.
Their fees have been waived and the Sanctuary Fund will provide them with accommodation.
Trinity will also set up a task force, including student representatives and an external chair, to discuss how the university can “continue to preserve academic freedom while understanding better how we engage – or not – with states that are in contravention of human rights”.
“Some in our community argue that Trinity should ensure all ties with Israeli institutions are cut. Such decisions rest with individual academics,” they added.
“Some colleagues will see value in maintaining a free exchange of ideas; others will feel deeply uncomfortable having any relationship at all. These conflicting perspectives must be explored in a formal setting.”
A further meeting between representatives has been scheduled for tomorrow.
“In view of the disproportionate response we have seen at some institutions overseas, Trinity is committed to addressing the issue of the encampment as an internal process.
“We wish for a return to normal services for our students, staff, and the public as soon as possible.”
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.