Moroccan sociologists push for unprecedented ban on Israeli delegation at world forum
Amid controversy over the announced participation of Israeli academics in the Fifth World Forum of Sociology, scheduled to take place from July 6 to 11 at Mohammed V University in Rabat, the International Sociological Association (ISA) has decided to suspend the membership of the Israeli Sociological Association, effectively excluding its representatives from the event. The forum is being organized in partnership with the Moroccan Sociological Association.
The decision was confirmed by Driss Essanhaji, a professor of sociology at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez and a board member of the Moroccan Sociological Association. «Two days ago, we discussed within the board of the Moroccan Sociological Association, host of the forum, a statement that was meant to express our rejection of the participation of Israeli academics», he said in a Facebook post on Sunday evening. «But the discussion was not concluded due to the lack of a clear position from the International Association. That led us to continue the dialogue and negotiations with its officials, resulting in an unprecedented decision to suspend the Israeli Sociological Association's membership», he added.
Essanhaji noted that an official statement from the International Sociological Association is expected in the coming hours or days.
In a prior official statement, the Moroccan Sociological Association emphasized that hosting the forum was conditional on upholding its values and principles, especially those concerning Morocco's core national causes, foremost among them the Palestinian question.
«From the beginning of the preparations», the statement said, «the association, through its structures and its members, has made it clear that hosting the forum must be contingent upon respecting Moroccan values and the positions tied to them».
The association also strongly condemned «Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and all aspects of their existence», describing it as «systematic genocide» aimed at denying Palestinians their right to an independent state, sovereignty, and dignity. It urged the international community to «assume its responsibility in halting these crimes and in securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in the interest of regional and global peace».
It also stressed that respect for academic ethics, as set out in the statutes of the International Sociological Association, requires compliance with relevant international covenants, particularly regarding the Palestinian cause when organizing or programming conferences.
The Moroccan Sociological Association further clarified that its engagement with the International Association, dating back to its bid to host the forum, «can in no way be interpreted as tacit approval of any narrative that undermines Palestinian rights».
The association concluded by asserting that ongoing Israeli actions in Palestine «make it impossible to welcome any representative of this occupying entity, even in scientific or academic settings», citing Morocco's official stance, the sentiments of its people, and the deep historical and cultural bonds linking Morocco to the Arab and Islamic world.
The Fifth World Forum of Sociology, held under the theme «Knowledge of Justice in the Anthropocene», is expected to draw over 4,500 researchers from nearly 100 countries to explore key global challenges.
The opening ceremony is set to take place at the Mohammed V National Theatre, with academic sessions to be held at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and the Faculty of Economic, Legal, and Social Sciences in Al Irfane, Rabat. The closing ceremony will take place at the Mohammedia School of Engineering.
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