AYY supports the academic and cultural boycott of Israel and demands action from Aalto University

AYY supports the academic boycott goals of the Palestinian-led movements Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). The movements aim to pressure Israel to comply with international law and promote the human rights of Palestinians by boycotting Israeli academic and cultural institutions. By supporting the boycott, we condemn the genocide and apartheid conducted by Israel. All acts of violence against civilians in the region must end. We hope the ceasefire signals the possibility of peace in the future. 

AYY demands that Aalto University commit to the academic boycott and discontinue its ties with Israeli educational institutions involved in maintaining Israel’s apartheid system. Aalto University has a student exchange agreement with Tel Aviv University and research collaboration with Hebrew University of Israel. Both universities have ties to the Israeli armed forces. 

The General Assembly of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) released a statement calling on all Finnish universities to commit to the academic boycott of Israel. SYL is the umbrella organisation for Finnish student unions, including AYY. In addition, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) and University of the Arts Student Union (TaiYo) have committed to the academic boycott and called on their universities to do the same. 

‘Students across Finland, and now students at Aalto, have expressed their will. For example, the University of the Arts Helsinki responded to its students’ demands, and AYY is now calling on Aalto University to do the same’, commented Chair of the AYY Board, Sakari Ropponen. 

AYY’s Representative Council, the student union’s highest decision-making body, approved the member initiative at its meeting 11/2024 on 12 Dec 2024, committing AYY to the academic boycott. 343 students have signed the member initiative. 

Further information: 

Sakari Ropponen, Chair of the AYY Board 
Tel. 040 843 3899