UCPH holds firm on Hebrew University partnership despite minister's concerns

If you are a student at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and want to check your exchange opportunities, you can search a database of all UCPH’s partnership agreements.

Here, you will find one option if you want to go to Israel — namely, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI).

The university has previously been the subject of heated debate, also in the University Post, due to HUJI’s activities extending beyond Israel’s borders. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously confirmed this to the University Post. Specifically, this concerns the university’s so-called Mount Scopus Campus, located in East Jerusalem, with a study area extending into Palestinian territory.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Science also urges Danish universities not to collaborate with Israeli institutions or participate in educational and research activities that take place wholly or partly outside Israeli territory.

Christina Egelund, Minister for Higher Education and Science

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In September 2024, University Post asked Rector Henrik C. Wegener about UCPH’s partnership with Hebrew University. At the time, he said:

»We collaborate with universities located on Israeli soil and not with university activities on occupied land, as this would contradict Danish foreign policy. If a university has activities on occupied land, we cannot be part of them.«

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He also stated that UCPH had asked the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification regarding the university’s boundaries so that students could receive precise guidance if they were to be sent there. However, since the outbreak of the war, the agreement has been inactive, as it is currently not safe for students to travel to Israel, Wegener said in September.

Minister calls on Danish universities to reconsider partnerships

In November 2024, Trine Pertou March, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Red-Green Alliance, asked Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (Moderates) how she intended to ensure »that no Danish universities are involved in activities that contribute to maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation and settlements in Palestinian territories.«

On 18 December 2024, Christina Egelund responded:

»Denmark’s general approach to education and research collaboration with Israel is that cooperation is limited to Israeli institutions located within Israel, based on the pre-1967 borders, and does not include illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.«

She further stated:

UCPH currently has no student exchange with Israel due to the conflict. The situation remains unchanged.

UCPH management

»The Ministry of Higher Education and Science also urges Danish universities not to collaborate with Israeli institutions or participate in educational and research activities that take place wholly or partly outside Israeli territory.«

»Such activities include, for example, sending students there, participating in conferences, workshops, and similar events.«

UCPH will reconsider the partnership — at some point

The University Post asked UCPH management how it views the partnership with Hebrew University in light of the minister’s statement. In a written response, management stated:

»We have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification on whether the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s (HUJI) campus is recognised as being located on Israeli territory. As the responsible authority in this area, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science has responded that parts of HUJI’s campus are considered to be located outside Israeli territory,« management wrote, continuing:

»UCPH currently has no student exchange with Israel due to the conflict. The situation remains unchanged. When the security situation allows students to travel to Israel again, we will examine whether it is possible and relevant for UCPH to maintain the exchange agreement with HUJI.«

The University Post has subsequently submitted follow-up questions asking why UCPH does not immediately terminate the partnership and whether UCPH’s latest statement should be understood as a shift in position since September 2024.

Management has not responded to these questions before the deadline on this article.