MIT Professor Withdraws Israeli Military Grant Amid Student Protests Over Gaza Conflict

MIT Professor Cancels Israeli Military Grant After Student Pressure A prominent professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has withdrawn from a grant with the Israeli military after facing intense pressure from students protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The move marks one of the few instances where student activism has led directly to an institution severing ties with Israel's military-industrial complex. According to sources, Professor [Name] had been working on a research project sponsored by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) since 2023. However, after attending a Palestinian solidarity protest at city hall in Cambridge, Mass., on Dec. 9, 2024, the professor reconsidered their involvement with the grant. "Mila Halgren, a postdoctoral associate at MIT, said that student action is not meaningless," said Halgren, who was part of the organizing committee for the protest. "We've been pushing for divestment from Israel and its military-industrial complex for years, and it's heartening to see our efforts bear fruit." The research project in question focused on developing advanced surveillance technology for the IDF. The university had not disclosed the details of the grant or the nature of the research. MIT has faced criticism in the past for conducting research sponsored by foreign militaries. In July 2024, the United Nations condemned the school for its involvement with the Israeli ministry of defense's funding of weapons and surveillance research. The cancellation of the grant is seen as a significant victory for student activists who have been pushing for greater transparency and accountability from their institutions regarding ties to Israel's military. "This is a major step forward in our fight against militarism and occupation," said Halgren. "We hope that this will set a precedent for other universities to reevaluate their relationships with the Israeli military." The implications of this move are far-reaching, as it highlights the growing influence of student activism on university policies and research priorities. "The fact that a professor was willing to listen to students' concerns and withdraw from the grant is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing," said Halgren. "We hope that this will inspire other students to take action and demand greater accountability from their institutions." As for next developments, it remains to be seen how MIT will respond to the cancellation of the grant. The university has not commented on the matter. The incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between universities, research funding, and military-industrial complexes. As student activism continues to push for greater transparency and accountability, one thing is clear: the role of students in shaping their institutions' policies and priorities will only continue to grow. Background: MIT has been under scrutiny for its involvement with foreign militaries, particularly Israel's. In 2023, the university was criticized for hosting a conference sponsored by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The conference focused on developing advanced surveillance technology for the IDF. Additional Perspectives: "This is a significant victory for student activists who have been pushing for greater transparency and accountability from their institutions," said Halgren. "We hope that this will set a precedent for other universities to reevaluate their relationships with the Israeli military." "The fact that a professor was willing to listen to students' concerns and withdraw from the grant is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing," said Halgren. Current Status: The cancellation of the grant marks one of the few instances where student activism has led directly to an institution severing ties with Israel's military-industrial complex. The implications of this move are far-reaching, as it highlights the growing influence of student activism on university policies and research priorities. Next Developments: It remains to be seen how MIT will respond to the cancellation of the grant. The university has not commented on the matter. As student activism continues to push for greater transparency and accountability, one thing is clear: the role of students in shaping their institutions' policies and priorities will only continue to grow. *Reporting by Theintercept.*