In the conference with the British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah, UV’s Principal informed about the actions of the Office of the Principal towards the European University Union, the Spanish Government and the European Commission.

UV’s Principal Mavi Mestre began the conference with the following statement: ‘In December 2023, I addressed the President of the European University Union, Dr Josep Maria Garrell.’ She spoked about the Office of the Principal’s actions, in compliance with the Governing Council’s stance of December 2023. She also reminded that the Universitat de València has repeatedly taken a stance since October 2023 on the Israeli military intervention in Gaza.

The UV’s address to President Pedro Sánchez

The Principal also said that she congratulated President Pedro Sánchez on the Spanish Government’s decision to recognise Palestine, as stated in the May meeting of the Governing Council.

The Governing Council approved a new position of the Universitat de València, in which they call on the Spanish Government to cease the military cooperation and arms exports to Israel and to restore the universal jurisdiction in order to prevent impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Principal sent the Governing Council’s statement and petition to President Pedro Sánchez for official record.

The UV’s request to the European Commission

On Thursday, 30 May, the Principal also addressed the Office of the European Presidency and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, sending the Governing Council’s statement and the explicit request to suspend Israel’s access to European R+D funding.

The Universitat de València is the first university in Spain – and the only one to report it – to address both the Spanish President and the President of the European Commission with concrete requests regarding the political positions on the Israeli military intervention in Gaza.

The UV’s request to the European University Union

‘Our university community is horrified by the violation of international humanitarian law, and has joined the statements of international organisations in relation to acts of war that have serious consequences for the civilian population.

Our university has taken a clear stance on the demand for a ceasefire and an agreed solution by both sides, as well as on the need for humanitarian aid to overcome the disaster caused by the Israeli army’, said the Principal. She also read the address to the President of the European University Union: ‘I ask you to share with the other universities that are members of your association our stance, and to make a statement on behalf of European universities.’

The Principal revealed that there had been no response from the European University Union.

Read the Principal’s statement in the conference with Ghassan Abu-Sittah here.