US universities recall students from Israel

The University of California yesterday announced it has joined other US universities in withdrawing its students from academic programmes in Israel.

Citing the escalating violence in the Middle East as a reason, the multi-campus university, which includes UC Berkeley and UCLA, is recalling to the US 27 students still in Israel. Another 28 students have already left, it said.

Other US universities, including the University of Washington and University of Colorado, have already recalled their students from the country.

In a statement released yesterday, the University of California said: "In view of the dramatically escalating violence in the Middle East, and with the personal safety of its students as the number one concern, the University of California announced today that it is recalling to the United States its education abroad programme students currently studying in Israel.