RABAT, July 6, 2025 — Tensions are mounting in Morocco’s capital as activists and academics prepare to protest the presence of Israeli speakers at the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology, set to begin this week at Mohammed V University.The demonstrations are being organized by the Moroccan Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (MACBI), part of the broader BDS Morocco movement. Protesters argue that Israeli academics affiliated with state institutions should not be allowed to participate in the forum, citing Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and alleged violations of international law.📣 Academic Backlash and Institutional ResponseThe International Sociological Association (ISA) has responded to mounting pressure by suspending the collective membership of the Israeli Sociological Society (ISS), citing its failure to condemn the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. ISA President Geoffrey Pleyers and Forum President Allison-Marie Loconto emphasized that the decision reflects the “extraordinary gravity of the current situation”.Despite the suspension, individual Israeli scholars may still attend, prompting further calls for a full boycott. MACBI has urged the ISA to cancel any participation that appears to justify or normalize what it describes as “ongoing genocide”.🎓 Forum Under ScrutinyThe ISA Forum, which brings together sociologists from over 100 countries, is intended to foster open dialogue and academic freedom. However, the inclusion of Israeli voices has sparked debate over the limits of scholarly neutrality in times of geopolitical crisis.As the forum opens, Rabat is expected to see peaceful demonstrations demanding solidarity with Palestinians and a stronger stance from global academic institutions.
