The cruelty of the war in Palestine, condemned at an event in the Paranymph Hall

The session, led by journalist Carla Turró, began with a lecture by Professor Emeritus Antoni Segura, who gave an account of the current conflict, from the end of the 19^th century until now. He stressed that what defines the current moment is greater “brutality”, with the 50,000 deaths caused by Israel in response to the Hamas attack. He also denounced the extreme right-wing character of the current Israeli government and pointed out that, at a time like this, it is necessary to continue to denounce war crimes and to cry out for peace. “Please, get angry”, he urged when closing the speech.

This was followed by a roundtable bringing together academics and journalists. Elisenda Calvet, a lecturer at the UB’s Faculty of Law specializing in human rights and international law, pointed out that the conflict is currently more intense than in previous times and that the violation of international law is “flagrant”. Calvet defended international law, although she also recognized that it ultimately depends on the will of states, and recalled that there are mechanisms for less powerful states to denounce.

Gabriel Garroum, UPF postdoctoral researcher at the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI), pointed out the aspects that prevent the resolution of the conflict, such as the “pressure from the Israeli extreme right” and an international context of permissiveness. He also pointed out that now “Palestine is central on the international stage” and that Israel had never been so closely watched.

Cristina Mas, journalist at Ara newspaper, stated that fear has been used as an element of control of the Israeli population, and gave examples of how the Palestinian population has been “dehumanized”. She also defended the actions in solidarity with the Palestinian people: “They see what we do and they feel less alone”.

Albert Elfa, TV3 journalist, portrayed the cruel reality: “There is a terrible and rampant far-right in Israel, and a puppet government in Palestine”. And he warned: “What happens in Gaza could shake European values”.

“We live in extraordinarily turbulent times that can lead us to contexts where academic freedom is in danger, where science and veracity are called into question”, said Guàrdia at the end of the session. The Rector also recalled the UB’s commitment to peace and Palestine, and the specific minimum demands that the governing team has made.

The event also featured a video message from Kherieh Rassas, vice-rector of An-Najah International University in the West Bank and current president of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED).

Peace, democracy and human rights

This was the third edition of the sessions that the UB has organized in recent years to demonstrate its commitment to the values of democracy, human rights and peace. The first edition was held shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was titled “Invasió a Ucraïna: aturem la guerra, defensem la pau”. The second one, titled “Perspectives en diàleg: Israel-Palestina, una aposta per la pau”, took place in February 2024, months after the attacks and kidnapping of civilians by Hamas in October 2023 and the start of the total war strategy in the Gaza Strip launched by the State of Israel. This third edition focuses on the consequences of the Israeli Government’s strategy on the Palestinian people and the possible horizons for peace that can be considered.

The University of Barcelona took an unequivocal posture in favour of peace and human rights with this institutional statement and with the commitments made by the institution’s management and governing bodies.

Students from Palestine at the UB

The University of Barcelona is currently hosting four students from Palestine, three from Syria, two from Afghanistan, three from the Democratic Republic of Congo, one from Eritrea and four from Somalia — nine women and eight men — as part of the Transition Course to University Studies and subsequent bachelor’s or master’s degrees. This action is part of the UB’s Support programme for refugees and people from conflict areas (UB Refugi), coordinated by the UB Solidarity Foundation and co-financed by Barcelona City Council through the Directorate of Human Rights, Global Justice and International Cooperation Services. In this latest edition, the UB has given priority to Palestinian students, given the serious humanitarian situation in the area and in accordance with the measures approved by the UB’s Governing Board and Governing Council in spring 2024.