Hundreds of academics urge Ireland's universities to cut ties with Israeli institutions

More than 600 academics have signed a letter calling on universities in Ireland to cut ties with Israeli institutions, citing Israel's ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza, in addition to its ongoing occupation of the West Bank.

"We call on all universities in Ireland to immediately sever any existing institutional partnerships or affiliations with Israeli institutions," said the letter, published in the Irish Times.

"Those ties should be suspended until the occupation of Palestinian territory is ended, the Palestinian rights to equality and self-determination are vindicated, and the right of Palestinian refugees to return is facilitated."

The letter added that anything less than cutting ties "at this point amounts to tacit support for crimes against humanity".