Israel Bans University Officials from Making Political Statements

The Israeli Council for Higher Education has approved a decision to ban university officials from making political statements. It is claimed that this decision does not harm 'freedom of expression'.Following the pressure from Education Minister Yoav Kisch, the adoption of the "institutional neutrality" draft prohibits university rectors, deans, and other executives from making political statements. The Israeli Council for Higher Education argued that this decision does not harm academic freedom.Kisch stated that academia is for research and freedom of thought, not for political struggle, and with this decision, they ensured that academia remains an open space for everyone. The Israeli media views this decision as a response to university administrations' statements against the controversial judicial reform.