Madrid, 16 March 2026. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) expresses its deep concern about the devastating impact that armed conflicts have on education, academic communities and civil society. War destroys lives, institutions and future opportunities, particularly affecting those engaged in teaching and research, as well as students and the communities that depend on these spaces of knowledge.
In this context, CRUE condemns the attack carried out on 12 March by Israel against the Faculty of Science of the Lebanese University, a public institution in Beirut located in the Hadath district, which resulted in the deaths of Dean Hussein Bazzi and Professor Murtada Srour. The Conference expresses its solidarity with the Lebanese university community and with the families, colleagues and students of the victims. The loss of two members of the academic community represents a profound blow to the university and to the education system as a whole.
In addition, the recent bombing of a girls’ school in Iran highlights the seriousness of attacks against educational institutions and the impact of armed conflicts on human rights, the right to education and the safety of educational communities.
Attacking schools, universities or research centres, as well as those who work in them, is incompatible with the principles of international law and with the rules that protect civilian populations and spaces dedicated to education and knowledge. These places must be preserved as safe spaces for encounter, dialogue and cooperation between peoples.
CRUE reiterates its firm rejection of war and of any form of violence. Universities and educational institutions must remain spaces of knowledge, freedom and coexistence, never settings for violence.
