Estonian university drops Israeli collaboration, faces backlash from government 

An Estonian university's decision to sever ties with an Israeli institution has sparked widespread criticism from government officials and its own board, prompting the rector to promise a review of the controversial move.

The Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) canceled a planned design anthropology workshop with Jonathan Ventura, a professor from Shenkar College in Tel Aviv, citing “difficult international and in-house sentiments” related to Israel’s war in Gaza. The workshop, originally scheduled for February, became the focal point of intense backlash.

EKA’s rector, Mart Kalm, addressed the controversy on an Estonian news program, stating that the decision was a “technical matter” misinterpreted as ideological. “I should apologize for my imprecise wording, which has upset people, taken on a life of its own, and allowed misunderstandings to arise,” Kalm said.

In a statement released Tuesday, EKA expressed sympathy for “all those who are suffering in the current war” and emphasized its commitment to providing a “safe study, work, and creative environment” for its students and staff, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.

The move drew sharp rebuke from Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, who called on the academy to reconsider. “I believe the academy should rethink this decision,” Michal said at a press conference.

* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.