The European Commission reminds Spain that the academic boycott of Israel violates the fundamental principles of the EU

ACOM – Action and Commnication on the Middle East reports on the response received from the European Commission to the letter sent on April 10, 2025 to Ursula von der Leyen, in which we denounced the collective academic boycott promoted in Spain against Israeli universities by the Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas (CRUE) and supported by more than 70 universities.

In that letter, we warned that the suspension of agreements with Israeli institutions, adopted on political and ideological grounds rather than academic criteria, could violate Articles 18 and 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), by introducing discrimination based on nationality and restricting free competition within the internal market, in addition to seriously affecting academic freedom and participation in European programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

The Commission’s official response is clear and significant. Brussels acknowledges the “seriousness of the concerns raised,” reaffirms that academic freedom, equal treatment, and non-discrimination are foundational principles of the European Union, and expressly warns that the improper termination of beneficiaries in projects funded with EU funds may entail contractual consequences, including the reduction or cancellation of grants. It further notes that any modification of partnerships with Israeli institutions will be examined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the reasons provided.

This statement constitutes a serious warning to those who, from positions of institutional power in Spain, are promoting a boycott against Jews that breaks with the European legal framework, compromises the neutrality of universities, and undermines our country’s international credibility.

Spain cannot become an aberrant exception within the European Union by normalizing practices of academic exclusion against Israeli institutions for political reasons. The ideological instrumentalization of public universities, encouraged from governmental spheres and amplified by certain media and academic sectors, not only violates basic constitutional principles but also places our country in a position of isolation from European standards of freedom and non-discrimination.

ACOM will continue to defend, before all national and European bodies, respect for the rule of law, academic freedom, and the principle of equality. Universities must be spaces of excellence and cooperation, not platforms for campaigns of selective exclusion.

The European Union has spoken clearly. It is now up to the Spanish authorities and the universities involved to rectify their actions and ensure that they comply with the European legal framework and the values they claim to uphold.

Full text (in English) sent by the European Commission to ACOM:

“Dear Mr Mas,

Thank you for your letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen on 10 April 2025. I am replying on her behalf, particularly focussing on the aspects relating to Erasmus+.

Thank you very much for the information provided on decisions adopted by certain Spanish universities, under the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), to review and suspend collaboration agreements with Israeli academic institutions.

The European Commission acknowledges the seriousness of the concerns raised, particularly regarding the potential implications for academic freedom and non-discrimination.  The European Union remains firmly committed to the principles of academic freedom, equal treatment, and non-discrimination. These values are foundational to our educational and research programs, in particular Erasmus+.

Israel is not participating in the Erasmus+ programme as an associated country and the participation of Israeli entities in Erasmus+ projects is subject to voluntary cooperation amongst academic institutions of EU Member States and academic institutions established in Israel.

Therefore, the participation of Israeli entities in Erasmus+ grants is regulated by the terms and conditions of the relevant grant agreements. Based on these grant agreements, improper termination of a beneficiary may lead to contractual consequences such as grant reductions or grant termination (applicable provision as of 2023 grant agreements).

Let me reassure you that for Erasmus+ cooperation projects involving Israeli institutions and where EU funding is involved, any request to modify the composition of existing partnerships will be examined on a case-by-case basis, with close attention to the alleged reasons and circumstances. The contractual consequences mentioned above will apply accordingly”.