Trinity College cuts ties with Israeli institutions in historic boycott move

Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has made history by becoming the first major Irish university to fully sever institutional links with all Israeli universities and companies.

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has welcomed the decision as a “landmark step in academic rejection of Apartheid Israel’s regime of occupation, ethnic cleansing, human rights abuses, war crimes, and genocide against the Palestinian people.”

The move follows a vote by Trinity’s Board and recommendations from a dedicated Taskforce, established after the student-led Gaza solidarity encampment in May 2024.

TCD has now committed to three key actions: divesting from all Israeli companies, ending ties with Israeli suppliers, and halting any new academic or research collaborations with Israeli institutions.

The Taskforce concluded that Israel’s ongoing violations of human rights and international law, including those noted by the International Court of Justice, mean the university can no longer justify institutional links with Israel.

TCD’s decision aligns it with the global Palestinian-led campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), which has gained growing traction in universities worldwide.

Advocates of the boycott argue that Israeli universities play a direct role in supporting the state’s apartheid policies and military actions, both ideologically and materially.

Zoë Lawlor, Chairperson of the IPSC, said the decision marks a major milestone:

“We welcome this landmark step in academic rejection of Apartheid Israel’s regime of occupation, ethnic cleansing, human rights abuses, war crimes, and genocide against the Palestinian people, and we call for more Irish universities to follow suit.”

Lawlor also commended the broad coalition of students, academics, trade unionists, and taskforce members who helped bring about the change.

“Trinity will now stand on the right side of history, as it did with South African Apartheid in the past,” she said.

“But it is nevertheless disappointing that it took so long to get to this position, and we echo the view of TCD Students’ Union that it remains disappointing that Trinity has not withdrawn from ongoing projects involving Israeli partners who provide military technology and training that will run until 2029.”

Despite these ongoing concerns, the IPSC is celebrating what it describes as a major win for the Palestinian cause and for international solidarity movements. Lawlor concluded by urging further action:

“We celebrate each and every step towards de-normalising relations with the genocidal, Apartheid state of Israel.

“We call on the Irish government and the EU to pay heed to the changing climate, and to act to bring an end to all Irish state complicity with the apartheid regime.”

Trinity’s move signals a growing shift within higher education towards supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, particularly as global concern over the war in Gaza and Palestinian human rights continues to rise.