University of Florence’s Controversial Move: Ending Partnerships with Israeli Institutions While Maintaining Ties with Iran and Afghanistan

Five departments at the University of Florence have decided to cut ties with academic institutions in Israel. They call this an “academic boycott.” Interestingly, they continue to work with universities in places like Iran and Afghanistan, nations often criticized for their human rights records.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has suspended its relationship with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. This university is noteworthy because Nobel laureate Dan Shechtman serves on its board. Similarly, other departments like Engineering and Agricultural Sciences have also halted partnerships with Israeli institutions.

The Department of Architecture has ended its cooperation with Ariel University. The Department of Political and Social Sciences has stopped working with Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center.

Despite severing ties with Israeli universities, the University of Florence maintains active collaborations with Iranian schools. This is striking, especially considering Iran is under international sanctions for various reasons, including its treatment of women and lack of civil liberties.

Among their ongoing partnerships is Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, which they are committed to until 2028, as well as Isfahan University and Amirkabir University of Technology, which have agreements lasting until 2027. Notably, the architecture department at Florence also collaborates with Iran’s University of Art. Just last year, this university barred 40 female students from classes for alleged dress code violations after they protested the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police.

This move has sparked strong backlash. Critics argue that the University of Florence is applying a double standard. They call out the inconsistency of boycotting democratic Israel while fostering relationships with authoritarian regimes known for human rights abuses.

The debate around this issue reflects a broader discussion about academic freedom, ethics, and global accountability in education. Many scholars are urging a careful reconsideration of how institutions approach collaborations across various political landscapes.

For more on academic ethics and global partnerships, the American Association of University Professors offers extensive resources and viewpoints on these important topics.



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