Communication from the Presidential Board

The Presidential Board of Fulda University of Applied Sciences fully endorses the following statement by the two presidents of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Robert Schlögl, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Joybrato Mukherjee, on the current developments in Gaza and Israel:

"We are deeply shocked by the current developments and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The dramatic situation of the people requires our attention and decisive action. We welcome the clear words of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who has called for a fundamental improvement in the situation for the people of Gaza and direct access for international aid organisations to distribute humanitarian aid.

At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of the war for the region, particularly with regard to education and research. There is a need for prospects for the people in the Palestinian territories and better educational opportunities for the younger generation. After the urgently needed end of the war, we in Germany must actively support the reconstruction of Gaza, especially of schools and universities as well as the research infrastructure.

As academic organisations, we also support the increasing appeals from the Israeli academic community - such as the open letter from the five university presidents and the call from the President of the Israeli Academy of Sciences David Harel - to terminate hunger and war in Gaza and to release the Hamas hostages through negotiations. Harel also points out the long-term consequences for the population, the stability of the region and the impending damage to Israeli academic research. ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies, has also expressly endorsed his position in its own statement.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the state, the people and the academic community in Israel. We therefore continue to clearly oppose calls for a boycott of Israeli academic organisations, universities and researchers and are committed to academic exchange with both Israeli and Palestinian universities and research institutions. Despite all the conflicts, academic cooperation can point the way to a more peaceful future for both peoples. Academic research is a voice of reason that should be strengthened."

The joint statement has also been published on the DAAD website.