Against a background of recent British calls to boycott Israeli universities, one major French college has forged a partnership with an Israeli counterpart.

The agreement between Paris Sciences Po University and Tel Aviv University, announced last month, was unanimously supported by committee members of the famous French college.

Although the agreement is essentially at a scientific level with scientific programs, colloquiums and exchanges between teachers and students from the two universities, it has had further significance.

“Today this exchange is very important for us because this is the first we make with an Israeli university,” said Richard Descoings head of Sciences Politic

Few Problems

Descoings added there are some practical problems that must be tackled. “We really must break through the language barrier between countries,” he said. “Moreover, the French Foreign Office doesn’t encourage French students to go to Israel for safety reasons. A few years ago a student from Sciences Politic was killed in a bomb attack in Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It was a real drama for us”.

Today this exchange is very important for us because this is the first we make with an Israeli university Richard Descoings

The link between the two institutions had already bore some fruition even before it was signed. Professors from Tel Aviv came to Paris last year for a series of research sessions supported by Prime minister Dominique de Villepin and Christian Poncelet the Senate president.

In June Descoings went to Israel to sign the agreement. He spoke of the event with great enthusiasm. “Apart from exchanges only professional, it was really great. I felt a real will from Israelis to work together,” Descoings said.

He noted that he sees Tel Aviv University is a place of scientific dynamism and a place of thought about future in this region and Near Eastern people.

Against boycott measures

Richard Descoings

Descoings spoke out against the attempt to boycott two Israeli universities by a British lecturers union in May this year.

“It‘s absurd and I must again stress my disagreement with any boycott measure,” Descoings said. “A similar measure was taken in France two years ago. I was absolutely against”.

For him, universities are areas of freedom where dialogue and ideas must take place and be confronted.

“Breaking off bonds with universities, because of politic disagreements from government is completely conflicting with the university mission,” the French academic added. “Universities are neutral ground. We can’t close doors to any foreign students”.