600 Moroccan university faculty members urge cancellation of Israeli partnership

Professors and employees of Abdelmalek Saadi University in Tetouan signed a petition on Thursday demanding the cancellation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between their university and the University of Haifa in Israel in September 2022.

The agreement in question focused on cooperation in marine sciences, sustainable aquaculture, marine technologies, and ecological research.

The petition, signed by over 600 professors and staff from 12 university institutions, is expected to be considered at the next University Council meeting.

The initiative is framed as «a step of solidarity with the Palestinian people against the crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity they have endured for over eight months». The petition calls for «strong judicial and political decisions against the Zionist entity».

Signatories further claim that «the Israeli occupation forces have deliberately and systematically targeted institutions of higher education, martyring university presidents, deans, professors, and students».

This action comes despite a May 2022 cooperation agreement signed by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and its Israeli counterpart, promoting collaboration between universities and research centers in both countries.