Information for students and employees about the war in Gaza

There are several students from Israel and Palestine who study at the University of Bergen, but there are no outgoing students to the conflict area.

Do you need to talk to someone?

Students who are affected by the war can make use of the following offers:

• Sammens psychologists and counsellors (free of charge)
   
• The student chaplains in Bergen are available for conversation to all students who want someone to talk to, regardless of their outlook on life (free of charge).
   
• Life crisis help at Bergen emergency room is Bergen municipality's offer to people in acute life crises

The University of Bergen has several employees from Palestine and Israel who are affected by the war. Local management at faculties and departments will follow up on their employees.

Employees who need help or facilitation can contact their nearest leader. You can also contact:

• The occupational health service
   
• Life Crisis Assistance in the Bergen Emergency Room is Bergen municipality's offer to people in acute life crises (text in Norwegian)

If you experience harassment or other inappropriate behavior, you can contact your nearest leader or notify via our website.

We react differently in crises and there can be big differences in how the individual experiences the situation. The most important thing we can do is prioritize contact and direct attention to our employees.

Some advice:

• Get in touch - hear how it goes. Have regular contact with the employees. Be responsive to the employee's needs and point of view.

• Make an assessment as to whether there may be a need to create common meeting places on the unit to meet others and chat etc.

• Remind colleagues that it is good to be a little extra attentive now.

• Find out if the employee(s) affected has a network or support. Pay special attention to those who are alone.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to or stay in Gaza and the regions (governorates) of Nablus and Jenin in the West Bank.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel that is not strictly necessary to the rest of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem: Travel advice Palestine (only in norwegian).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel to the whole of Israel: Travel advice Israel (only in norwegian).

The university has academic staff who have solid knowledge of the background to the war. Here you get an overview of professionals who can comment on various topics related to the war. (norwegian only)