Resolution 1: Call for Shutdown

In light of the intention to pass the bill abolishing the reasonableness clause in relation to the decisions of the government of Israel and its ministers, the Senate of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem expresses profound concern over damage to the strength of the State of Israel and its institutions. Restricting the oversight of the courts in relation to the government and its ministers, which according to the declarations of the coalition members represents a first step in a sequence of laws that will eat away at the foundations of liberal democracy, will severely harm individual liberties, will allow for arbitrary appointments and dismissals, will weaken gatekeepers and will facilitate the passing of decisions without real oversight—thus  harming the economy, security, research and education. Time after time, the research universities have appealed to the government immediately to abandon the promotion of laws that seek to effect regime change in Israel and to harm democracy. Last week, hundreds of members of the Hebrew University community signed an open letter calling on the government to stop the dangerous legislation. Despite this, the government refuses to heed the cry emanating from many strata of the population and continues to promote the legislation.

            In view of the immediate danger that lies before us, the Senate of the Hebrew University calls on the heads of the academy to initiate the shutdown of all research and teaching as soon as the legislative proposal to abolish the reasonableness standard is brought to a vote in its second and third reading. 

Resolution 2: Condemnation of Police Violence

In recent days, we are experiencing an escalation of police violence against protesters. We have all seen troubling images of researchers from among our ranks being taken to hospital with more than minor injuries without any provocation on their part. We are also witnessing attempts by the prosecution to aggravate the punishment of protesters through strange restrictions on the right to protest and the prolonging of detention without sufficient reason.  Those who are at the forefront of the struggle are taking considerable responsibility on their shoulders, and lately, growing risk. Just a few days ago, our colleague Dr. Roni Porat of the Departments of Political Science and International Relations, was injured as a result of the unrestrained and violent use of water cannons on the part of the police. The government’s efforts to silence the protests through escalating police violence represents another threat to the rights of citizens and stands alongside various attempts of the present government to damage democracy and the right to protest.

The Senate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem strongly condemns the violence directed against non-violent protesters, at present and in general, and supports all faculty members and students who have been injured during the course of the protests. The Hebrew University community will do all that it can to assist colleagues who have been injured during the protests.