Israeli Higher Education Council Bans Universities From Political Activism

The Council for Higher Education in Israel approved a decision on Tuesday requiring universities to maintain institutional neutrality and prohibiting them from promoting political struggles. According to the ruling, higher education institutions must not take official political stances or use their status, authority, resources, or activities to advance political positions or campaigns. This principle applies to actions and statements made in the name of the institution or by its leaders, board members, and senior academic and administrative officials. Education Minister and Council Chairman Yoav Kisch welcomed the decision, stating that university presidents cannot use academia to push political agendas. He emphasized that academia should remain a place for freedom of thought and research, not a tool for political battles. The decision preserves freedom of expression for students and staff but obligates academic institutions to stay neutral and refrain from leveraging their position or resources for political purposes.