ISRAEL: Academics warn on dangers of ethics code

Isreal's Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar has proposed a 'code of ethics' on the limits of academic freedom at higher education institutions. But academics say the code would endanger academic freedom, writes Or Kashti for Haaretz.

Speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Education Committee on encouraging "Zionist views in academia", Sa'ar said the proposed code would be drafted following a series of discussions by the Council for Higher Education, which he chairs.

The code, he said, should include the following principles: course material should reflect the range of academic views on the particular topic; lecturers should not be discriminated against on the basis of their political views; and academic freedom should not include the lecturer's right to advocate boycotts of Israel, whether academic or otherwise.

Several university presidents who attended the meeting said such a code would be a mistake.
Full report on the Haaretz site