MADRID — The International Sociological Association (ISA) has suspended the collective membership of the Israeli Sociological Society (ISS), citing its failure to explicitly condemn what the ISA termed the “genocide of Palestinians in Gaza,” the association said on June 30.
The ISA’s executive committee expressed regret that the ISS “has not taken a clear stand condemning the dramatic situation in Gaza,” and declared the suspension a response to the “extraordinary gravity” of the current crisis.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure from academic groups, including Morocco’s Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (MACBI), which successfully petitioned ISA to exclude Israeli institutions from its Fifth Forum of Sociology held July 6–11 in Rabat.
Although the ISS has been suspended, several Israeli researchers remain slated to speak at the Rabat forum, prompting concern among 232 signatories, including Moroccan and international scholars, who warned such participation could “normalize” Israel’s role in the conflict.
ISA confirmed that its action reflects “no institutional relationships with Israeli public institutions” and reinforces its public opposition to what it described as “the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.”
The ISA emphasized its commitment to academic freedom. While suspending ISS institutional membership, it noted that individual members from Israel may still participate in forums based on scholarly merit, not national affiliation.
Critics argue the ISA’s selective censure raises concerns. The association previously suspended Russian institutional members following the invasion of Ukraine, making its late response to Israel’s actions appear inconsistent.
For its part, the ISS has yet to issue a public response. Its suspension effectively bars institutional representation at ISA events, though individual Israeli sociologists may remain active in international academic circles.
This article is based on verified information from the International Sociological Association, Morocco World News, WAFA, and Yabiladi reports.