ISA Forum of Sociology

As President of the ISA and President of the ISA Forum, we share the global outrage at the genocide taking place in Gaza. Since October 2023, the ISA has released three public statements condemning the violence, calling for an immediate end to the war and military occupation, and expressing our solidarity with the Palestinian people.

In these statements, the ISA called for:

• An end to Israel’s military occupation and all colonial practices in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria;
• An end to apartheid-like conditions for Palestinians with Israeli citizenship;
• The return of Palestinian refugees, and the urgent, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid;
• And the protection of academic freedom and free expression, particularly for those who speak out against violent state practices.

Academic freedom is a founding principle of the ISA. We do not consider scholars to be representatives of their governments or institutions, and we do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of nationality or affiliation. The ISA Forum is a scientific gathering organized by 68 Research Committees, Working and Thematic Groups made up of individual members from over 100 countries. These entities do not speak for countries or governments.

In recent days, members of the ISA—including Research Committees and National Associations—have submitted requests for the ISA to suspend the collective membership of the Israeli Sociological Society (ISS), just as similar calls were made concerning the Russian Sociological Association. After open and thoughtful deliberations, the Executive Committee has taken the decision to suspend the ISS as a collective member. This decision reflects the institutional position the ISA has taken and the exceptional nature of the current moment.

We continue to believe that the ISA must remain a space where sociologists—regardless of origin, affiliation, or political stance—can engage in meaningful, open, and critical dialogue. The defense of academic freedom and non-discrimination remains at the heart of our mission, even in moments of profound crisis.

With respect and in solidarity,
Geoffrey PLEYERS
President of the International Sociological Association

Allison-Marie LOCONTO
President of the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology
Vice-President for Research, ISA