---
title: "UWC ‘disengages’ from Israeli academic institutions in support of Palestine"
description: "A motion to disengage academic relations with Israeli institutions has been endorsed by the University of the Western Cape, the university announced on Friday, 28 June."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "MIDDLE EAST CRISIS"
author: "Msindisi Fengu"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/msindisi-fengu/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-30-uwc-disengages-from-israeli-academic-institutions-in-support-of-palestine/"
published: "2024-06-30T21:02:51"
updated: "2024-06-30T21:02:54"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 308
---

# UWC ‘disengages’ from Israeli academic institutions in support of Palestine

> A motion to disengage academic relations with Israeli institutions has been endorsed by the University of the Western Cape, the university announced on Friday, 28 June.

By Msindisi Fengu · Published 30 June 2024, 23:02 SAST · Updated 30 June 2024, 23:02 SAST

## Key points
- The University of the Western Cape reaffirms its support for Palestine through various initiatives, including academic disengagement from Israel and advocating for greater solidarity, as highlighted by Minister Naledi Pandor's call for student activism and boycotts against Israel.
- UWC reaffirms solidarity with Palestine, endorsing boycotts against Israel.
- UCT and UWC call for ceasefire and aid to Gaza, supported by various university bodies.
- UWC commits to academic disengagement from Israeli institutions, following boycott guidelines.
- New council chair Xoliswa Mpongoshe elected, with a background in compliance and risk management.

## Content

This, UWC revealed, was reaffirming its commitment to solidarity with Palestine.

In May, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor called for [greater university](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-05-08-pandor-urges-intensified-south-african-university-activism-against-israel/) student activism and boycotts against Israel.

This came after UWC and the [University of Cape Town](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-10-uct-and-the-israel-boycottlong-term-costs-of-moral-outrage/)(UCT) made official statements calling for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The motion, UWC spokesperson Gasant Abarder said, was endorsed and supported by the council, senate, convocation and the student representative council.

“This motion underscores the university’s unwavering support for justice, human rights, and rebuilding Palestinian higher education,” the university said.

Disengaging from Israeli academic institutions was in line with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel guidelines.

Other initiatives included:

- Strengthening academic ties to enhance connections with Palestinian scholars and students and supporting the rebuilding of higher education in Gaza;
- Embarking on investment transparency by disclosing UWC investments in Israeli products and companies;
- Committing to disinvest from any agreements which may have been considered in the past; and
- Advocating at national level, particularly at Universities South Africa, an organisation representing 26 vice-chancellors, for South African universities to adopt full academic disengagement from Israel.

**Read more in Daily Maverick:**[Israel-Palestine War](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/middle-east-crisis-news-hub/)

Engagement with Israeli institutions would only occur if they supported basic human rights through policy and actions.

“UWC will seek to partner with a Palestinian university, emulating the model of the University of Missouri partnership established during apartheid.”

#### **New council chair**

Outgoing UWC vice-chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, said Xoliswa Mpongoshe was elected to chair the university’s council on 25 June.

Mpongoshe, a UWC law graduate, has served as the chief compliance officer and risk manager at Transnet and acted as its chief executive. She was also an executive of corporate services at PetroSA and is currently an executive committee member at the South African National Petroleum Company. **DM**