A letter signed by over 1,300 students and faculty members cites concerns over Israel’s involvement in the ongoing conflict and human rights violations in Gaza
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A letter signed by over 1,300 students and faculty members from renowned institutions, including Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, IIT Kanpur, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, IIT Delhi, Christ University, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, has expressed strong opposition to the upcoming “India-Israel Business Summit” scheduled at Bengaluru’s IISc on Monday.
The letter cites concerns over Israel’s involvement in the ongoing conflict and human rights violations in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.
Addressed to IISc Director Govindan Rangarajan, the letter urges the institute to reconsider its association with Israel and cancel the summit.
The letter argues that hosting the event would signify direct support for Israel’s aggression in Palestine, which they described as genocidal action against its neighbours.
“Israel has destroyed every university in Gaza,” read the letter. “It has also destroyed healthcare facilities, leading to the resurgence of diseases such as polio. The World Food Agency estimates that 96% of Gazans are facing food insecurity. Alongside, Israel has also launched brutal raids on the West Bank and just this last week, Israel engaged in terrorist attacks in Lebanon by remotely detonating electronic devices, many of which were in civilian areas.”
The students said they were deeply concerned that the institution was “sponsoring and hosting” the event.
“We also witness the world academic community and various universities divesting from Israel due to students and faculty members coming out in solidarity with Palestine,” read the letter. “In this situation, it is unconscionable for IISc to encourage collaborations between India and Israel.”
The “India-Israel Business Summit” is being organised by Think India, the Indian Chamber of International Business, and the Mysore Lancers Heritage Foundation at an auditorium within the Indian Institute of Science.
In a social media post, the organisation wrote, “The summit aims to bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from both countries to discuss and explore potential areas of cooperation, foster partnerships, explore synergies, and drive innovation.”
Israel’s ground invasion and an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza has killed close to 40,000 people, mostly civilians, and driven most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people from their homes.
