TU Delft will not initiate new collaborations with Israeli universities and organisations due to serious concerns regarding potential involvement in genocidal violence and human rights violations within the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict. This is unless the very demanding criteria are met as stated in the advisory report of an internal Moral Deliberation Chamber that was set up at the request of the Executive Board (EB). Ongoing research projects will continue for the time being, but will undergo critical assessment. A procedure to assess both ongoing and new projects will be developed shortly. This decision by the Executive Board (EB) follows an advisory report based on deliberations of an internal Moral Deliberation Chamber. The report highlights the ethical risks associated with cooperation in the current context.
At the request of the EB, a temporary Moral Deliberation Chamber was set up. This chamber reviewed collaborations with Israeli institutions and a report with recommendations was drawn up on the basis of this review. See below for more information on the method of moral deliberation.
The EB’s decision comes at a time of mounting social tension and strong polarisation surrounding the conflict between Israel and Gaza. While human rights organisations and parts of the international community are increasingly explicitly calling out Israel for possible genocidal violence, TU Delft is looking for answers to ethical questions about its own role in research collaborations that may be indirectly related to the conflict.
"We want to be crystal clear: as of now, no new collaborations will be entered into with Israeli universities and organisations. Once there is an assessment procedure, very limited exceptions may be made. However, the standard remains a clear -no, unless-," said the EB.
In the coming weeks, TU Delft will finalise an assessment procedure to reassess existing institutional collaborations on a case-by-case basis. According to the EB, this reassessment is essential to make carefully considered choices. The same procedure will be used to assess new collaborations.
TU Delft wishes to emphasise that this advice and the accompanying decisions relate only to institutional collaborations, i.e. collaborations at organisational level. It does not apply to individual contacts or personal exchanges.
The Executive Board stresses its desire to offer space to all parties on campus, both students and staff who show solidarity with the Palestinian population and those who feel close ties with Israel. The university therefore explicitly wants to engage with concerned groups and keep an eye on feelings of unrest and division within the academic community. TU Delft seeks to prevent further tensions and polarisation wherever possible through dialogue. -We recognise the immense human suffering on both sides of the conflict and, above all, we want to continue to provide a place for dialogue, precisely because so many of our students and staff are personally affected,- the EB concludes.
Summary of decisions taken
Moratorium on new collaborations
Until further notice, no new institutional collaborations with Israeli universities and organisations (moratorium). This is unless the very demanding criteria are met as stated in the advisory report of the internal Moral Deliberation Chamber.
Re-evaluation of existing collaborations
Existing institutional collaborations will be re-evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with the manner and frameworks being finalised in the follow-up process.
Engage in conversation within the academic community
Engage in conversation with relevant groups and monitor feelings of unrest and division within the academic community.
About the Moral Deliberation method
Moral deliberation is a form of structured moral research in which participants, under supervision, jointly examine ethical dilemmas and morally difficult situations in order to arrive at a well-considered choice. This method has been successfully applied in the Netherlands for decades, for example within healthcare, banking, government, education and science. Well-known applications include in hospitals, where teams of healthcare providers discuss moral dilemmas around patient care, treatment and cooperation under the guidance of a discussion leader.
The process focuses on carefully identifying different arguments, making moral considerations explicit and jointly arriving at a well-considered judgment or advice. Moral deliberation helps organisations make complex decisions where moral, legal and social considerations come together. It contributes to explainable decisions by making underlying dilemmas and arguments clear.
This method is also increasingly used within universities and research institutes, including on issues of knowledge security, integrity and cooperation with external parties. The strength of this approach is that it is not based on the individual judgement of an expert, but on a collective, broadly supported consideration within a relevant group of professionals. Participants are trained in conducting moral deliberation and the process is guided by an independent moderator.
The Moral Deliberation Chamber set up to assess collaborations with Israeli agencies from a moral perspective consisted of nine staff members from different faculties and departments, carefully selected to ensure diversity in terms of expertise, nationality and function. To protect independence and objectivity and to protect members from unfair treatment based on their work for the chamber, their identities remain confidential. The chamber carefully weighs relevant arguments, providing the board with a thorough and reliable basis for decision-making.