Preliminary injunction of ESL PhD against university in Gaza case

The PhD candidate who lost his position after a conflict with the Erasmus School of Law, faced the university in court in Rotterdam on Thursday morning. In a preliminary injunction, he demanded to be reinstated at the law faculty.

His appointment at the university was terminated following a dispute over comments made about Gaza by his supervisor and a professor. He requested a new supervisor but was not allowed a different one. His PhD trajectory involves several universities, and for now he is able to continue his work in Hamburg.

He risks losing the ability to continue his PhD altogether, however, as it is dependent on his appointment in Rotterdam. That is why he asked the court this morning to provisionally reinstate him as a PhD candidate at Erasmus University until a judge has ruled on the conflict. He also still demands a different supervisor.

No valid reason

The dispute between the university and the PhD candidate arose last year. In May 2024, his supervisor signed an open letter in which academics voiced opposition to severing ties with Israeli institutions. The letter described the accusation of genocide against Israel as antisemitic.

According to the university, signing the letter falls under freedom of expression and is therefore not a valid reason to change supervisors. The PhD regulations only allow a change of supervisor if they are not performing adequately or if both parties agree. However, the supervisor wished to continue the supervision.

Ruling

The case was not addressed substantively – that will happen later. This hearing only concerned whether there is an urgent interest for the PhD candidate. The ruling will be issued on 20 November.