Responding to the crisis in Israel, Gaza and the Middle East
We’re taking action to support those affected by the ongoing war.
We are horrified at the appalling levels of civilian death, suffering and devastation, and the continued escalation of violence and war. Our thoughts are with those who have lost family members or friends, who have been taken hostage or have family or friends being held hostage, and those who have lost their homes and places of safety.
Monday 23 September 2024: an update for our community
We have observed with horror and concern the continuing and appalling devastation of the war in Gaza and the widening of conflict in the Middle East. We urge all parties to cease fire.
Further below, we set our approach in response to the war in Gaza. We committed to sharing any progress - or challenges - we encounter, and as our semester begins, we have three key updates for our staff and students:
- We are moving into a period of helping our scholars get to York safely. We hope our community will understand that we cannot publicly share more information at this stage, but we continue to work with individuals and their families on how we best support them in their studies here at York.
- With purpose and determination, we have continued to fundraise over the summer to support refugee students and at-risk academics. We are grateful for a new major donation generously pledged to the Sanctuary Fund and this Fund will be a focus of York Global Giving Day in November. Preparations are also being made for the University to host the Universities of Sanctuary Network in York in December. This presents an opportunity for us to learn more about the funding others are allocating for 2025/26 onwards and working together to boost the support already in place.
- We have requested to join HESPAL and as we shared back in May 2024, we are working with a national educational consultancy about how best to support universities and student learning in Gaza. This initially tried to establish cooperation with universities on the West Bank, so that in due course this could act as a bridge to Gaza. We feared it would be unlikely to proceed at pace until there is an enduring ceasefire, and with the recent widening of the conflict, it is proving to be a long and difficult process. The consultancy is now working to secure participation with an NGO to see what is possible; we remain ready as part of this coordinated national response.
- Gaza and our support (26 July 2024)
- A personal view from Charlie (30 May 2024)
- Message from Vice-Chancellor (25 October 2023)
Across our community there are strong and diverse views about the situation.
- We ask all members of the University to remember that we are a community of respect
- We respect and protect the right to freedom of expression
- We will never tolerate racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, incitement or harassment: any incidents of this should be reported
At the onset of this crisis, the Vice-Chancellor and senior colleagues worked with our Students' Unions and took time to meet with those most directly affected by the conflict: staff and students from Palestine and Israel, and student groups and societies which are closely connected through family, friendship or community ties to Palestine and Israel.
We have remained in contact with these groups at regular points since and our aim throughout has been to ensure all members of the University community are supported as much as possible, to respond as the situation develops, and to keep our community informed.
How we're responding
In Gaza, many university buildings have been destroyed, and many academics and students have had to leave their homes. Following discussions with student groups, we have agreed to take action in four key areas.
Our existing Sanctuary Fund was set up to establish the principle of sanctuary as a major focus for philanthropic fundraising at the University. Our Equal Access Scholarship are for students seeking refuge in the UK.
There are still no straightforward exit routes from Gaza and no special UK entry visa routes for refugees from Gaza. To support students through our Equal Access Scholarship, our first priority has been to reach out to students coming to York who are recorded as having Palestinian nationality on their applications (regardless of their citizenship or refugee status). This was to understand more about how they have been directly affected by the crisis and their financial needs.
To date, one Palestinian MSc student and one online student have accepted scholarship support. We have continued to offer Equal Access Scholarship funding to other students seeking asylum at York, as well as continuing our commitment to providing bursaries for refugee students and dedicated advice and support for all sanctuary-seeking students and applicants.
We have also been able to help an alumnus of York who is a PhD candidate affected by the crisis in Gaza. We have done this through working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), who provide support to affected alumni and other at-risk academics.
We continue to identify resources and to raise support for the University of Sanctuary Fund, with colleagues working hard to secure even more support so that we can continue to offer funding where it is needed.
We are focused on playing our role in supporting Palestinian universities and developing renewed and sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities.
We are working with Universities UK and Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) in engaging with the TESI scheme, administered by An-Najar University (a West Bank Organisation). CCG are an experienced education consultancy who are facilitating the UK response. We will support the programme with educational materials and online content to help students continue to study remotely. Our scholarships provision going forward will include supporting HESPAL, a scholarship programme dedicated for Palestinians, developed in partnership with Palestinian Universities.
Our Library has also pledged support to enable materials to be made available to this programme. We are ready to go. We are determined to keep exploring and understanding other opportunities to support Gaza’s education sector, especially through this scheme. Whilst there are no twinning schemes currently operative - the closest is TESI - we will explore all options when these become available.
We recognise that some of our students want the University to determine the companies/industries our academics can work with, rather than focus on review of the research projects themselves.
As an academic community, we came together to develop our Research Reputation and Social Responsibility Framework to address this very issue. From January 2024, a collective of academic representatives (including elected student representation) engaged in many diverse views to develop this Framework. It was agreed not to list and prohibit specific companies. Our academic community agreed that the University must not, and should not, tell academics what they can or cannot research or teach. Presuming the subject matter is within the law and the merits of projects are reviewed, the Framework enshrines academic freedom as a fundamental principle, which is also an obligation under law.
Importantly, it tightens the scrutiny of research projects and our key principle underpinning the ethical standards which apply to academic activities - that of avoidance of harm.
Having now been approved through our extensive governance bodies, we will publish this soon and commit to reviewing the Framework within a year after its implementation.
In April 2024, we announced that we no longer hold investments in companies that primarily make or sell weapons and defence-related products or services.
This decision followed calls by members of our community to cut these investment ties and renew our commitment to the mission of public good. In response, we worked in partnership with our Student Unions to update our responsible investment statement.
Supporting our students and staff
Support and advice for students
Welfare support
Our International Student Support Team has reached out to all of our Israeli and Palestinian students to offer individual support and also to sign-post our Student Union.
We recognise that although not directly impacted, some students may still feel the impact of what is happening in the region, especially if you have family or loved ones there.
If you need support for any reason please use our Student support and advice services, talk to your department or college, or use the Student Union support services.
YUSU's support for students impacted by conflict in Israel and Palestine
If you have any research or fieldwork planned in the region, you must keep up-to-date with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice on travelling and speak to your supervisor before embarking on any travel.
If you're abroad
We know that in some countries protests, demonstrations and other activity related to events in Israel and Gaza are leading to heightened security measures and that some embassies have issued security or demonstration alerts. It is important to be aware of what is happening wherever you are: check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice for the country that you're visiting and sign up for email alerts.
If you're currently abroad, stay in contact with your department and follow any advice that's sent to you, either from your department in York or from your local institution. In an emergency, contact the local emergency services or our Campus Safety team: you can use the SafeZone app for this.
While you're away you should:
- Download the SafeZone Mobile App if you have not already done so
- Avoid protests, demonstrations, or areas with significant police activity
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your phone charged
- Keep in touch with friends, family and your department
If you are in the region and you are unable to access online teaching or resources, please make contact with your department at the earliest opportunity so they can review how they might be able to support your learning.
There are a number of University processes in place to help you if the conflict has disrupted your studies or if you believe it will impact your ability to complete your exams or assessments.
Support and advice for staff
Please contact HR for any support - including practical support: our employee assistance partner Health Assured is now also offering specialist support to assist individuals and managers in response to the disturbing world events.
Please also alert your Line Manager, if you feel comfortable doing so, so that they can offer you support and make reasonable adjustments if needed.
If you are due to travel to any of the affected regions, please speak to your Deans or Head of Department for Professional Services staff, regarding arrangements. We are following Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, which is advising against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel in key areas of the large-scale conflict.
If you're abroad or travelling elsewhere
We know that in some countries protests, demonstrations and other activity related to events in Israel and Gaza are leading to heightened security measures and that some embassies have issued security or demonstration alerts. It is important to be aware of what is happening wherever you are: check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice for the country that you're visiting and sign up for email alerts.
If you're currently working abroad, stay in contact with your department and follow any advice that's sent to you, either from your department in York or from your local institution. In an emergency, contact the local emergency services or our Campus Safety team: you can use the SafeZone app for this.
While you're away you should:
- Download the SafeZone Mobile App if you have not already done so
- Avoid protests, demonstrations, or areas with significant police activity
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your phone charged
- Keep in touch with friends, family and your department
Responding to global crises
Sadly, this is one of several instances of war, conflict and humanitarian disasters affecting members of our community. Find out more about how we support our staff and students, as well as how members of our community can help.