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European Association of Israel Studies
European Association of Israel Studies
EAIS is alarmed by the new challenges that many contemporary democracies face, also in Europe. The new populism, radicalism, incitement test the boundaries of open, liberal polities and the rule of law. We are additionally concerned that these tendencies may impact academic freedom and independent scholarship. Troubled by the fact that the Israeli political and legal system is facing similar threats today, we fully endorse the AIS statement on the planned reforms in Israel:
"The Association for Israel Studies views with grave concern the recent developments in Israel, including the looming changes in the state’s political and legal system, and the growing support for racism and incitement. As an academic association, we are committed to intellectual integrity and academic freedom—necessary foundations for any healthy and free society, and to the values of freedom, equality and pluralism, which must exclude any discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or gender. We believe that all efforts should be made to ensure that the rights and responsibilities upon which freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas are based, and the checks and balances that are the underpinning of democracy—the precondition for free academic discourse—will continue to flourish in the academic study of Israel, in Israeli society, and in the Israeli body politic."
We strongly condemn Russia's aggression which started in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and escalated on February 24, 2022 with the massive invasion of Ukraine. This war is destroying peace in Europe and leading to the destruction of the existing political, economic, and socio-cultural relations globally.
EAIS is in continuous contact with our colleagues in Ukraine who now are defending their families and country from Russian aggression. We acclaim efforts of the Ukrainian Association for Jewish Studies. To show our solidarity and support for their struggles, following the decision of the European Association of Jewish Studies, we announce a temporary membership waiver for scholars based in Ukraine. Scholars representing Ukrainian universities and based in Ukraine who hold a PhD or are PhD students and are engaged in research of Israel will be entitled to a three-year membership waiver (2022, 2023, 2024) after successful application submitted until 31 August 2022. Ukrainian Israel Studies scholars who have left Ukraine since the war began may also be entitled to a membership fee waiver depending on their circumstances. For more information, please contact the EAIS before the deadline (info@israelstudies.eu).
ANNUAL CONFERENCES IN THE PAST.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES IN THE PAST.
