600 Moroccan academics call for severing ties with Haifa University

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
31 May 2024 23:59
2 Shares

Some 600 staff members from Abdelmalek Essaâdi University signed a petition requesting that the partnership agreement between the two institutes be canceled.

Moroccans hold a banner during a protest against normalizing relations with "Israel" in Rabat, Morocco on September 18, 2020. (AP)

Hundreds of Moroccan academics have urged breaking ties with the University of Haifa as the Israeli military continues its murderous onslaught in Gaza.

Some 600 academics, faculty members, and administrative personnel from Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in the northern Moroccan city of Tétouan signed a petition delivered to the university's president, requesting that the partnership agreement between the two institutes be canceled.

The cries echo similar ones that took place in November when over 180 Moroccan activists and intellectuals called for "immediately ceasing normalization with Israel and severing all ties with the entity...whose hands are stained with the blood of children, women, and youth victims."

Supporters of the petition said they want the collaboration agreement nullified, citing that they oppose any normalization and collaboration with "Israel" and all academic institutions linked with the Israeli occupation.

The academics explained their actions were in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people as they withstand Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly those in Gaza who have been subjected to genocide for over 8 months.

A part of the petition cited that the Israeli regime has "deliberately and purposefully targeted all higher education institutions in Gaza and elsewhere in Palestinian lands. University presidents, trustees, professors, and students have been martyred as a result of these crimes."

The Abdelmalek Essaâdi University of Morocco and the University of Haifa agreed on scientific and education collaboration in September 2022.

Many Moroccan cities have seen mass protests in favor of the people of Gaza and in denunciation of Israeli crimes in recent months.

In early May, the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization organized a protest outside the American consulate in Casablanca in support of pro-Palestine protests at US universities and the Palestinian struggle.

Moroccans hold a rally in solidarity with #Palestine outside the American Consulate in #Casablanca, #Morocco #US #UnitedStates #GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/ZyyMkNJDR3
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 3, 2024

The participants have urged the dissolution of links between Morocco and the Israeli administration, the halt of Israeli crimes, and the unhindered admission of humanitarian relief convoys into Gaza.

Considered by Palestinians and Moroccans a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, Morocco partook in the US-brokered normalization agreements in 2020, which included other Arab countries like the United Arab Emirates and Sudan.

'Israel' leaves in Jabalia trail of skeletal remains, destruction

The number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7 has risen to 36,284, in addition to 82,057 injuries, the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed in its daily report on Friday.

Additionally, it confirmed that the Israeli occupation committed 5 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, killing 60 and injuring 280 who arrived at hospitals in 24 hours only.

The Ministry stressed that thousands of victims are still under the rubble on the streets, as the occupation forces continue to deliberately prevent ambulances and civil defense crews from reaching them.

The Gaza Government Media Office has reported that videos and images emerging from the Jabalia refugee camp after the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces showcase the horrifying aftermath of atrocities and crimes committed in Jabalia and the Beit Lahia project.

The footage reveals widespread destruction and sabotage inflicted upon homes, service facilities, and public utilities. According to the office, this underscores the oppressive nature of the occupation, characterized by fascism, racism, and terrorism, and its blatant disregard for fundamental principles of humanity, moral values, international law, and humanitarian standards.

This is Jabalia Camp where I grew up and where my novel Vanished is set. The Israelis have destroyed, for no reason, streets, cafes, markets that I have so much memories at have all disappeared. But we are cleaning it now and we will rebuild it again. We are going nowhere pic.twitter.com/3VIYLInT0x
— Ahmed Masoud (@masoud_ahmed) May 31, 2024

As per the office, these actions defy international decisions and rulings, particularly those issued by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

For the second time, over a period of 20 days, the occupation army wreaked havoc and destruction in the Jabalia camp, employing a scorched-earth policy, resulting in the death and injury of hundreds and the forced displacement of nearly 200,000 citizens, the office reported.

It also noted that entire residential blocks and squares were destroyed, along with public and service facilities, presenting a scene of catastrophe as if a devastating earthquake had struck the area.

It is worth noting that local medical sources reported that the bodies of more than 70 martyrs were recovered from the Jabalia camp and the Beit Lahia project after the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces.