The conflict in the Middle East, which has erupted after the terrorist attacks on the south of Israel, also affects Palacký University and the Israeli students, teachers, and scientists who study and work in Olomouc. The university is offering them its maximum possible support and help.
“On behalf of the university, I would like to express support for all our Israeli students and colleagues whose country is facing an unprecedented terrorist attack. This is now the second time in a short period when members of our academic community have had to face an armed conflict in their country: first Ukraine, and now Israel. We also send our thoughts to our partners in Israel, with whom we have been recently developing international cooperation in the areas of education, science, and research. We are prepared to help them with anything that is in our powers and abilities. At the same time, we would like to express our solidarity with the people in Israel, the universities there, and their students and employees,” said UP Rector Martin Procházka.
According to him, it is important for the university that the conflict in the Middle East does not spill over onto our campus. “We will not tolerate any expressions of hatred toward any national or ethnic groups or individuals – just as when Ukraine was invaded by Russia. We are all members of a large university family, and I am certain that the adults who come here to study and work make their studies and jobs their priority. Such conflicts between ethnic, religious, or other groups have no place at our university,” added the rector.
The UP Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry has for example some 80 students from Israel, primarily in the General Medicine programme. Some have already received conscription orders to defend their country. “Faculty management condemns the terrorist attacks and violence perpetrated on Israeli citizens and will try to help Israeli students to the best of our abilities in this complicated situation,” said UP FMD Dean Milan Kolář. His announcement, published by the faculty, is available here.
Meanwhile five Israel students have revealed that they have been ordered back and must return to their country as soon as possible. “We decided with them that for the time being it is not necessary to take a formal leave of absence from their studies, as they have no idea when they might be returning to our faculty. We want to accommodate them as much as possible. Of course, we are prepared to help them with other things, for example psychological support, because the situation with their relatives must be truly complicated at this time,” added UP FMD Vice-Dean for International Relations Milan Raška.