ChangeVU is deeply concerned with the recent events regarding Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Lecturer Younes Saramifar. We strongly believe in the tenets of academic freedom, which means that lecturers should feel able to make clear their beliefs and teach courses from their perspectives, which is the core foundation of what a university is. Without an open environment for discussion, the ability for staff and teachers to do their job is prevented.
We believe that the university should be a forum for discussion, yet we see this as a failure of those goals. How can the university aim to be "leaders" in social prgress such as sustainability, yet don't provide a voice for Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian students alike.
These recent events fit into a pattern which we have recently seen more and more. A lack of transparency over rules of what is allowed and not allowed when it comes to organising discussions over Israel-Palestine.
For these reasons, ChangeVU calls on the University Student Council, the Faculty Student Council, SRVU, and other student parties and associations to join us in an open letter to the university to change their approach and create a more open environment for all stakeholders, both faculty staff and students alike.