Responding to the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East

We are horrified at the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza and the levels of civilian death, suffering and devastation. We resolutely call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law.

A permanent ceasefire is the only way forward: the war and suffering of the people in Gaza must end and the hostages must be released.

The recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK government, and by other governments, is a powerful symbolic message to the world. We back the calls to lift restrictions on the flow of aid, reverse the mass starvation, and enable the UN and NGOs to deliver their life-saving relief efforts to prevent further human suffering. The crisis is horrific and aid must be urgent and unhindered.

Below (How we're responding), we set our approach in response to the war in Gaza. We are committed to sharing any progress - or challenges - we encounter.

In October 2023, when this crisis began, the Vice-Chancellor and senior colleagues worked with our Students' Unions and took time to meet with those most directly affected by the conflict: staff and students from Palestine and Israel, and student groups and societies which are closely connected through family, friendship or community ties to Palestine and Israel.

We have remained in contact with these groups at regular points since and our aim throughout has been to ensure all members of the University community are supported as much as possible, to respond as the situation develops, and to keep our community informed.

Our thoughts remain with those who have lost their homes, places of safety, family members or friends in Gaza, as well as those who have been taken hostage or have family or friends being held hostage.

How we're responding

In Gaza, university buildings have been destroyed, and academics and students have had to leave their homes. Following discussions with student and staff groups and others within UK Higher Education, we have taken action in four key areas.

1. Sanctuary and scholarships

Our existing Sanctuary Fund was set up to establish the principle of sanctuary as a major focus for philanthropic fundraising at the University. We already offer our Equal Access Scholarship to students seeking refuge in the UK, and we now also work with the British Council to offer HESPAL, a scholarship programme dedicated for Palestinians, developed in partnership with Palestinian Universities.

There are still no straightforward exit routes from Gaza and no special UK entry visa routes for refugees from Gaza. To support students through our Equal Access Scholarship, our first priority has been to reach out to students coming to York who are recorded as having Palestinian nationality on their applications (regardless of their citizenship or refugee status). This was to understand more about how they have been directly affected by the crisis and their financial needs.

To date, one Palestinian MSc student and one online student have accepted scholarship support. We have continued to offer Equal Access Scholarship funding to other students seeking asylum at York, as well as continuing our commitment to providing bursaries for refugee students and dedicated advice and support for all sanctuary-seeking students and applicants.

We have also been able to help an alumnus of York who is a PhD candidate affected by the crisis in Gaza. We have done this through working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), who provide support to affected alumni and other at-risk academics.

We continue to identify resources and to raise support for the University of Sanctuary Fund, with colleagues working hard to secure even more support so that we can continue to offer funding where it is needed.

2. Support for Gaza’s education sector

We are focused on playing our role in supporting Palestinian universities and developing renewed and sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities. Our scholarships provision now includes supporting HESPAL, a scholarship programme dedicated for Palestinians, developed in partnership with Palestinian Universities. This important work continues behind the scenes, including liaising with Universities UK and the Department for Education as they support and aid planning for any UK-bound students.

We are working with Universities UK and Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) in engaging with the TESI scheme, administered by An-Najar University (a West Bank Organisation). CCG are an experienced education consultancy who are facilitating the UK response. We will support the programme with educational materials and online content to help students continue to study remotely.

Our Library has also pledged support to enable materials to be made available to this programme. We are ready to go. We are determined to keep exploring and understanding other opportunities to support Gaza’s education sector, especially through this scheme. Whilst there are no twinning schemes currently operative - the closest is TESI - we will explore all options when these become available.

3. Research responsibilities

We recognise that some of our students want the University to determine the companies/industries our academics can work with, rather than focus on review of the research projects themselves.

As an academic community, we came together to develop our Research Reputation and Social Responsibility Framework to address this very issue. From January 2024, a collective of academic representatives (including elected student representation) engaged in many diverse views to develop this Framework. It was agreed not to list and prohibit specific companies. Our academic community agreed that the University must not, and should not, tell academics what they can or cannot research or teach. Presuming the subject matter is within the law and the merits of projects are reviewed, the Framework enshrines academic freedom as a fundamental principle, which is also an obligation under law.

Importantly, it tightens the scrutiny of research projects and our key principle underpinning the ethical standards which apply to academic activities - that of avoidance of harm.

4. Responsible investment

In April 2024, we announced that we no longer hold investments in companies that primarily make or sell weapons and defence-related products or services.

This decision followed calls by members of our community to cut these investment ties and renew our commitment to the mission of public good. In response, we worked in partnership with our Student Unions to update our responsible investment statement.

Responsible investment commitments

Supporting our students and staff

Support and advice for students

Welfare support

At the onset of this conflict, our International Student Support Team reached out to all of our Israeli and Palestinian students to offer individual support and also to sign-post our Students' Union. We understand that this is an ongoing situation, and you can contact the team at any point if you need support.

We recognise that although not directly impacted, some students may still feel the impact of what is happening in the region.

If you need support for any reason please use our Student support and advice services, talk to your department or college, or use the Student Union support services.

York Students' Union support for students impacted by conflict in Israel and Palestine

We respect and protect the right of everyone within our community to lawful free speech but remind everyone that we will never tolerate racism, antisemitism, Islamaphobia, abuse, incitement or harassment; any incidents of this should be reported immediately.

Travel and student visas

If you have any research or fieldwork planned in the region, you must keep up-to-date with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice on travelling and speak to your supervisor before embarking on any travel.

If you're abroad

We know that in some countries protests, demonstrations and other activity related to events in Israel and Gaza are leading to heightened security measures and that some embassies have issued security or demonstration alerts. It is important to be aware of what is happening wherever you are: check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice for the country that you're visiting and sign up for email alerts.

If you're currently abroad, stay in contact with your department and follow any advice that's sent to you, either from your department in York or from your local institution. In an emergency, contact the local emergency services or our Campus Safety team: you can use the SafeZone app for this.

While you're away you should:

Download the SafeZone Mobile App if you have not already done so
Avoid protests, demonstrations, or areas with significant police activity
Be aware of your surroundings
Keep your phone charged
Keep in touch with friends, family and your department

Academic impacts

If you are in the region and you are unable to access online teaching or resources, please make contact with your department at the earliest opportunity so they can review how they might be able to support your learning.

There are a number of University processes in place to help you if the conflict has disrupted your studies or if you believe it will impact your ability to complete your exams or assessments.

Support and advice for staff

How to access support

Please contact HR for any support - including practical support: our employee assistance partner PAM is now also offering specialist support to assist individuals and managers in response to the disturbing world events.

Please also alert your Line Manager, if you feel comfortable doing so, so that they can offer you support and make reasonable adjustments if needed.

Travel advice

If you are due to travel to any of the affected regions, please speak to your Deans or Head of Department for Professional Services staff, regarding arrangements. We are following Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, which is advising against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel in key areas of the large-scale conflict.

If you're abroad or travelling elsewhere