“SWPS University shares the concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the military conflict in the Middle East, which have been escalating since the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. We condemn all ongoing military operations, resulting in the death and suffering of civilians, carried out by any of the conflicted parties,” writes the Rector of SWPS University in his response to an open letter submitted by a group of students and employees. The Rector emphasizes the role of dialogue as an appropriate tool for de-escalation of the conflict and ending the military operations.
Read the Polish version of the appeal
Below is the full text of the response letter.
To Whom It May Concern,
SWPS University shares the concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the military conflict in the Middle East, which have been escalating since the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. We condemn all ongoing military operations, resulting in the death and suffering of civilians, carried out by any of the conflicted parties.
We echo the appeal of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities, issued on May 20, 2024, which was addressed to the leaders of Israel and Palestine, and called for an end to the military hostilities and the conflict that has devastated and dehumanized both nations.
Furthermore, we call on the international, Polish, and the academic community, in particular on students, to opt for peaceful solutions and dialogue whenever possible. Mutual hostility and conflict escalation resulting from a potential breach of academic cooperation with any of the parties go against this goal. We firmly believe that dialogue is the way to finding a solution to the long-standing tension between both nations, and that the academic community can and should play a significant role in this dialogue.
As a university, through our activities we strive to present both sides of the conflict and facilitate mutual understanding. In January 2024, we organized an international conference on the “History and Current Phase of the Israel-Palestine Conflict” with the participation of academics from both Israel and Palestine. Our experience, gained during that event, solidified our belief that dialogue is more effective than demands to sever all relations at the institutional and individual level in achieving a resolution to the conflict.
Therefore, we appeal to everyone who is keen on ceasing the hostilities and achieving peace to seek an accord. We would like to assure everyone that SWPS University is ready to support such dialogue.
Professor Roman Cieślak
Rector of SWPS University