Uruguay suspends cooperation with Hebrew University over Gaza war
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Uruguay has frozen its cooperation agreement with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in response to "Israel's" operation to occupy Gaza City.
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Hebrew University of Jerusalem campus building, in occupied al-Quds, undated. (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Uruguay has suspended a newly launched cooperation agreement between its National Research and Innovation Agency (ANII) and "Israel's" Hebrew University of Jerusalem, citing the military escalations in Gaza and plans for the occupation of Gaza City by Israeli forces, according to Uruguayan media reports published on Friday.
The move effectively freezes the opening of an innovation office in occupied al-Quds, just weeks after the agreement was officially announced.
A la opinión pública: pic.twitter.com/lyobk0PKZJ
— Israel en Uruguay (@IsraelinUruguay) August 15, 2025
Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin told Ámbito Uruguay that the suspension was a formal response to "Israel's" ongoing genocide in Gaza, including plans to occupy Gaza City. He added that in light of heightened geopolitical tensions, the current Uruguayan government does not wish to pursue joint initiatives with the Israeli administration.
The decision follows Uruguay’s recent condemnation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza City, and its endorsement of a UN resolution calling for a peaceful solution to the war in the strip.
In remarks to local news outlet Telemundo, ANII President Alvaro Brunini clarified that the decision is a "pause" rather than a full cancellation of the project. "The office was never formally used, without any personnel in it until now," he said, adding, "There were plans to start online courses soon, but they hadn’t started yet. We understood that the best was to have a paused, reflective moment before continuing the process."
The Israeli embassy in Uruguay criticized the decision: "We lament the decision of ‘freezing’ the agreement of cooperation between ANII and the Hebrew University. Using political disagreements as an excuse to destroy scientific cooperation is always a misfortune."
First diplomatic rift under the new government
The suspension marks the first major point of friction between the newly elected left-wing government in Uruguay and the Israeli occupation's administration, following nearly five years of strong diplomatic ties under former right-wing president Luis Lacalle Pou.
Uruguay’s Foreign Ministry echoed Lubetkin’s position, stating that the country is unwilling to move forward with joint projects in the current climate. The suspended initiative, known as Innovacion Uruguay, was a collaboration aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Hebrew University had announced plans to host the ANII office on its Edmond J. Safra Campus in occupied al-Quds. "The Innovacion Uruguay office will serve as a central hub for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration," the university said during the program’s launch.
"A platform to strengthen ties between Uruguay and Jerusalem," it added. The project's future remains uncertain as the political and military situation continues to evolve.
Similarly, two leading European universities took decisive steps in June to suspend or terminate academic cooperation with Israeli institutions, citing serious concerns over human rights violations amid "Israel's" ongoing war on Gaza.
