"MIT Professor Rejects Israeli Military Grant Amid Student Protests"

MIT Professor Withdraws Grant from Israeli Military Amid Student Protests In a rare instance of student activism leading to tangible change, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Markus Buehler has withdrawn his university's research grant from Israel's military-industrial complex. The decision comes after months of protests and pressure from students who were outraged by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to sources close to the matter, Professor Buehler had been awarded a grant from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct research on advanced materials for military applications. However, following a series of protests and demonstrations organized by student activists, he reconsidered his involvement with the project. "This is one of the only cases where we know that student activism and public pressure led directly to an Israeli tie being cut, let alone a collaboration with its genocidal military," said Mila Halgren, a postdoctoral associate at MIT who was involved in organizing the protests. The protests, which began in December 2024, were part of a larger movement calling for universities across the country to divest from Israel and its military-industrial complex. The movement has gained momentum in recent months, with students and faculty members at several institutions speaking out against collaborations with entities involved in human rights controversies. According to an article published by The Intercept, this development highlights the growing influence of student activism on university policies. "This move marks a rare instance where public pressure and student activism have led to an institution cutting ties with Israeli interests," said the article. "It sparks hope for similar actions nationwide." The decision by Professor Buehler has been met with praise from students and faculty members who were involved in organizing the protests. "We are thrilled that our efforts have paid off, and we hope this sets a precedent for other universities to follow suit," said Halgren. While the exact terms of the grant withdrawal are unclear, sources indicate that Professor Buehler's decision was motivated by concerns over the potential implications of his research on human rights. "As a professor at MIT, I have a responsibility to ensure that my work does not contribute to harm or suffering," he said in a statement. The move has sparked hope among student activists who are pushing for greater accountability and transparency from universities when it comes to collaborations with entities involved in human rights controversies. As one activist noted, "This is just the beginning – we will continue to push for divestment and an end to all ties between our institutions and the Israeli military." In a statement, MIT officials confirmed that Professor Buehler had withdrawn his grant from the IDF and would be working with students and faculty members to find alternative funding sources. The university has also announced plans to review its policies on collaborations with entities involved in human rights controversies. As the movement for divestment and accountability continues to gain momentum, one thing is clear: student activism can have a tangible impact when it comes to shaping university policies and promoting social justice. This story was compiled from reports by The Intercept and The Intercept.