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Protests against Israel have delayed the start of the UPV/EHU academic year

During the rally, convened by the Ikasle Abertzaleak group, several people have come together to demand that Israel boycott and accuse the UPV and the Basque Government of being "complicit in the genocide".

GRAFCAV2612. SAN SEBASTIÁN, 10/09/2025.-Inciddentes este miércoles en la Universidad del País Vasco (EHU) durante la inauguración del curso 2025-2026, con 35.126 repartidos en 106 grados, con un acto solemne presidido por el lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, y el rector, Joxerramon Bengoetxea. EFE/Juan Herrero
18:00 - 20:00
Photo of an EITB video

Protests against Israel have delayed the opening of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) course this Wednesday on the Gipuzkoa campus and there have been moments of tension.

At the time of the event, the Ikasle Atzaleak organization called for a boycott of Israel and accused the Basque Government and the UPV of being "accomplices to the genocide". The cries and tension have begun with the arrival of representatives of the university and institutions, led by President Imanol Pradales, which has delayed the start of the event by 10 minutes.

Once the event began, the first to take the floor was the rector of the UPV-EHU, Joxerramon Bengoetxea, who expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for a minute's silence. In his words, there is a "disturbing militaristic wave in Europe" and considered that "universities must face these siren songs".

In his first opening act as rector, Bengoetxea has advocated promoting the commitment and internationalization of the UPV to society by explaining that his team will work in three areas: the 2026 budgets,the 2026-2028 strategic plan and the new statutes.

Along this path, he has shown his willingness to engage in "honest and loyal dialogue" with the Basque Government and has called for partnership to "maintain the sense of community". 

GRAFCAV2650. SAN SEBASTIÁN (ESPAÑA), 10/09/2025.- El lehendakari, Imanol Pradales (c), y el rector de la Universidad del País Vasco (EHU), Joxerramon Bengoetxea (2i), posan junto a los galardonados con las Medallas de Oro, Carlos Garaikoetxea (3i), Jose Ángel Iribar (2d), y Nekane Balluerka (3d), durante el acto de inauguración oficial del curso 2025-2026. EFE/Juan Herrero
18:00 - 20:00

Pradales: "When dogma, insult, or aggression are imposed," the university "loses its raison d'être."

In his agreement, President Imanol Pradales has stressed that the university is "a space of freedom and critical thought, a place where different thoughts and ideas can and should be compared." But "when dogma, insult and aggression prevail over the epistle, it loses its raison d'être."

It condemns the brutality being suffered by the people of Ukraine and Palestine and calls for "the solidarity and support of all, defending the principles of human rights".

At the event, coinciding with the start of the course, former UPV/EHU Rector Nekane Balluerka, former footballer Jose Angel Iribar and lehendakari Carlos Garaikoetxea have received the UPV / EHU gold medals.

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GRAFCAV2612. SAN SEBASTIÁN, 10/09/2025.-Inciddentes este miércoles en la Universidad del País Vasco (EHU) durante la inauguración del curso 2025-2026, con 35.126 repartidos en 106 grados, con un acto solemne presidido por el lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, y el rector, Joxerramon Bengoetxea. EFE/Juan Herrero
18:00 - 20:00
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UPV's opening ceremony in San Sebastian has had to be postponed because of the screams of students protesting against the genocide in Israel

Protesters call for a boycott of Israel and accuse the Basque Government and the UPV of being "accomplices to the genocide." On the arrival of lehendakari Pradales there have been cries and even moments of tension, so the start of the event has been delayed by a few minutes. Representatives of the institutions and the university that attended the event have been silent waiting for the end of the screams.

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