ELIA Statement on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and Student Protests

31 May, 2024

In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the global wave of student protests and intensified public debate surrounding campaigns for an academic boycott of Israel, the ELIA Representative Board updates its statement dated 5 December, 2023 as follows:

ELIA condemns in the strongest terms all violations of human rights and international law reported in Palestine and Israel. We join calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reinforced international efforts towards peaceful resolution, and the protection of civilians in the region. We stand in solidarity with those affected and displaced by this conflict and humanitarian crisis. We reiterate that ELIA stands against all forms of discrimination and racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

With regard to the recent wave of protests, we firmly believe that the voices of students and academics are vital. ELIA unequivocally supports the right to peaceful protest and to freedom of expression. We encourage constructive dialogue between protesters, institution representatives, and government agencies.

ELIA remains a steadfast advocate for freedom and peace. We believe these values are nurtured through exchange and collaboration between academics and educators across borders, and, most importantly, through a commitment to our shared humanity. ELIA is now engaging with higher arts education communities, international experts, and thought leaders to address the urgent questions that are being raised on the role of higher arts education institutions in relation to this conflict.

We aim to facilitate this discussion by creating brave spaces for international dialogue, embracing a plurality of perspectives, guided by frameworks of mutual respect. We are committed to ensuring that our actions align with ELIA values in response to this rapidly changing situation. Please refer to our list of follow-up actions below.

Endorsed by

The ELIA Representative Board

31 May, 2024

Follow-up actions from ELIA

ELIA is dedicated to developing this statement into tangible follow-up actions. As a result, ELIA will allocate resources to deliver on the following action points in the coming months:

Starting June 2024:

ELIA will seek new contact, and renew existing contact, with institutions in the affected region (both in Palestine and Israel) to gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground and the experiences of those involved. ELIA will monitor the responses to the crisis from its membership and broader higher arts education community. As follow-up to our survey conducted in December 2023.

ELIA will create an online knowledge bank publishing examples of how higher arts education stakeholders are responding to the conflict, as well as additional resources from international networks and NGOs.

July to December 2024:

ELIA will create curated spaces for international dialogue in the form of a series of online events, identifying ways in which the higher arts education community can learn about, discuss and respond to the current crisis in Gaza and the neighbouring region. The programme is currently being prepared and will be launched on the ELIA website in mid-June.

At the ELIA Biennial Conference 2024, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Platform Session will discuss the role of higher arts institutions in addressing political challenges that affect their communities. It will discuss leadership, spaces, and mechanisms needed for meaningful conversations in moments of conflict or political crisis.