In the past year staff of Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba have made
statements critical of Israel Government policies and of actions of
the Israeli military. Following this, the university decided to change
its ethics code and prohibit lecturers from voicing their political
opinions during classes and using the university’s name while speaking
publicly about politics.
A lecturer described the decision as contemptible. “In the past
we were asked to mention the university’s name in order to demonstrate
that its lecturers were involved in social activities and did not live
in an ivory tower, whereas now the tables have turned and we are being
asked to ignore the university,” he said. He further added that
“this ridiculous decision will hurt the academic freedom of expression
and force lecturers to speak in an implied and indirect manner instead
of teaching and speaking their mind without prejudice.”
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report in ynet