Academics plan campus free expression conference in Israel, but security concerns compel postponement

Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv
Davidi Vardi Pikiwiki Israel via Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.5

An academic conference in Israel will consider campus freedom of expression, but has been postponed from January 2026 because of security concerns.

The conference, "Navigating Campus Freedom of Expression in Polarized and Turbulent Times," planned to meet at the Haim Striks Law School, Rishon LeZion, Israel, on January 6, 2026. Conference organizers hope to set a new date in early 2026.

As still posted at the time of this writing, the call for papers (CFP) lists an abstract deadline, 400-word maximum, of November 7, 2025, with accepted full papers due December 15, 2025. Here is the CFP:

The war in Gaza, the rise of the Trump administration in the US and other events in recent years highlighted the complex challenges academic institutions face in balancing fundamental freedoms with community welfare and institutional integrity. Campuses worldwide have become crucibles where principles of free expression collide with concerns for student safety, institutional stability, and the preservation of learning environments which foster open inquiry and debate. 

This international conference aims to examine the multifaceted challenges of protecting and regulating speech in academic settings. We welcome contributions that analyze the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and potential solutions, from legal scholars, social scientists, education researchers, practitioners, administrators and others. 

Potential topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Legal frameworks governing campus speech in different jurisdictions
• Balancing protest rights with institutional operations
• Managing controversial classroom discussions and academic discourse
• Faculty and student off-campus expression: institutional oversight and social repercussions
• Protection of minority students' expression rights and safety
• Comparative analysis of campus speech policies across different countries
• Intersection of academic freedom with DEI policies
• Legal and ethical dimensions of disciplinary measures for speech-related violations
• Institutional independence and protection from external political and legal pressures
• Bottom-up pressures on Freedom of Expression: self-censorship due to student actions
• The role of institutional neutrality in upholding Freedom of Expression

The conference seeks to foster constructive dialogue about these pressing challenges while advancing our understanding of how academic institutions can uphold both free expression and inclusive community values in increasingly complex times.

Haim Striks Law School Professor Roy Peled is chairing the conference. Prof. Peled is a friend and academic colleague from the Global Conference on Transparency Research (GCTR) (2026 CFP due January 20 for conference in June), having served as board member, director, and chair of the Movement for Freedom of Information in Israel (English translation).