SETU's Gaza statementoffers 'breadcrumbs'
SETU has been criticised by staff as missing an opportunity to put its ideals into action in relation to Gaza.
South East Technological University (SETU) released a statement after a meeting with staff over the ongoing war in Gaza.
In May, over 180 members of staff signed a letter addressed to President Veronica Campbell that urged the university to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and to cut ties with Red Hat Media over their involvement with the Israeli military.
The statement supported the Government call for a ceasefire in the war-torn region, but made no reference regarding Red Hat.
It stated: "As an educational institution ourselves, we particularly condemn the destruction of universities and educational facilities in Gaza as it not only denies individuals of their right to education and a bright future, but it also deprives society of the educated people needed to meet its future challenges."
The statement revealed that SETU has no Erasmus exchange with Israeli universities or collaborative research funding.
The University added that several SETU students are from Palestine and Israel, and the institution is currently trying to help a student in Gaza.
"SETU offers eight Sanctuary Scholarships each year and has been working over the past few months to directly assist a student to leave Gaza and come to study at SETU, and we will continue our efforts to assist students in dire need going forward."
Michelle Byrne, a member of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) South East, accused the University of 'whitewashing' during a busy election news cycle.
She said: “We commend the efforts of staff and students which have led to Palestine being put on the agenda of their governing body, in their meetings and have forced the college to release a statement. However, we are compelled to address the lack of substance in the statement issued by the college, which we find deeply disappointing and misleading.
"The statement, released in the midst of election results coverage, is a glaring example of PR whitewashing aiming to make it look like they are taking positive action."
She added: "Red Hat’s website openly promotes its relationship with the Israeli Occupation Forces, even citing a military commander as a testimonial."
Lecturer at SETU Mark Graham added: "SETU’s strategic plan states ‘we act ethically’ and the University is ‘a leader in advancing equality’.
"There is an opportunity for our President and Governing Body to put these ideals into action in relation to what the International Court of Justice (ICC) has deemed plausible genocide in Gaza.
"Are these ideals just words in a document or are they something we actually put into action? As Karim Khan of the ICC put it, do we value strategic interests above children’s lives?”
