To address this concern, the Max Planck Society, the Helmholtz Association, the Fraunhofer Society, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Council of Science and Humanities, and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina today published a joint statement. The Freie Universität Berlin, the German 15-Universities and the University of Potsdam joint the statement after the original publication. Further signatories are welcome. The organizations write:
Freedom and Autonomy of Science and Research in Israel
Scientific collaboration with Israel, a leading nation in research and innovation, is essential to us. In the light of decades of inspiring intellectual exchange and the special relationship between research organizations in our countries, we feel compelled to take a stand on recent developments that can negatively affect international cooperation. In particular, we share concerns of our colleagues and friends in Israel that the current judicial reform plans endanger academic freedom and may greatly restrict our joint scientific and innovative potential. We firmly believe that freedom of research and autonomy of academic institutions are essential for the continued prosperity of societies in Israel, Germany and worldwide.