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Eindhoven,
29
January
2024
Utrecht University of Applied Sciences has postponed a series of lectures on the Holocaust. This news from the newspaper De Telegraaf led to a storm of messages and reactions this weekend.
The Utrecht teacher training colleges organized the lectures together with the CIDI (Centre for Information and Documentation Israel). They were supposed to take place in February and March, but that will be one later moment.
Action group New Neighbors Utrecht delivered last week fierce criticism of the lectures because of the involvement of the CIDI. “The CIDI is eating away at education,” the activists said.
The CIDI stands firmly behind Israel and the bombing of Gaza. It lays the blame for the war on Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7, and defends also settlement policy.
“Total madness”
But does that have anything to do with education regarding the Holocaust and the danger of anti-Semitism? The CIDI speaks of “total madness” now that the lectures are postponed. “Academicly unworthy and completely cowardly! Yet another example that intimidation and threats pay off.”
According to Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, more time is needed to “organize a diverse and balanced dialogue on these topics, with today’s dynamics”. There would also be ‘safety reasons’.
All kinds of politicians deride the decision. For example, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz writes on X that the murder of six million Jews has nothing to do with a ‘diverse and balanced’ dialogue. “Anyone who wants to nuance that needs a history lesson. What a brat.”
Caroline van der Plas (BBB) wants to ask the cabinet oral questions regarding the HU decision on Tuesday. Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) wonders where the moral compass of the university has gone.
Dijkgraaf
Outgoing minister Robbert Dijkgraaf is also involved in the issue. He calls on education to continue to pay attention to the horrors of the Holocaust, “even when it is difficult”. After all, the subject remains important. “There is no discussion regarding that and it is completely separate from the tensions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.”
The college finds the criticism is not justified. The lectures will continue, is the defense, “just at a different time”. The university would not be guided by pressure from interest groups or activists. “We reject the suggestion that we link education regarding the Holocaust to current tensions,” says board president Wilma Scholte op Reimer.
The activists of New Neighbors Utrecht place commenting that they are for human rights and equality, and also “100% for education regarding the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.” Their criticism would only concern the cooperation with the CIDI. [HOP]
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