A research team from an Israeli university has been thrown out of a solar power competition for being based on the West Bank.

Many in Israel have reacted with anger to the news that Ariel University Center of Samaria has been excluded from the Solar Decathalon, a competition to design solar powered housing.

Although this contest has previously been run by the US Department of Energy the Spanish housing ministry is hosting the 2010 version. The ministry says EU law prevents the West Bank-based university from participating.

“The EU does not recognise the occupation of the West Bank, which is where this university is,” said a spokesman (Guardian).

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The European Union has continually condemned Israel’s illegal building of settlements in the area.

Ariel University claims the decision is “an expression of an illegitimate political struggle” that “blatantly violates international law and charters regarding academic freedom” (Jerusalem Post, World Jewish Congress).