Members of the Hebrew University community,

We will still be amid the acute civil crisis, which has been with us for the past few months as we open the second semester this coming Sunday. In our previous letter we stated that we all understand that it is the right and even the duty of a new government to promote new policies and change existing rules. This is part of the very soul of democracy. At the same time, an equally important part of any government is to respect the fundamental rules of the game of democracy, which include respect for human rights and freedom of expression and include a system of internal balances between the branches of government, to protect the rights of the minority and prevent governmental tyranny. This is also part of the soul of democracy. We continue to stand behind these beliefs.

We encourage members of the university community—members of the academic and administrative staff, students—to be positively and constructively involved in the public discourse. This should be done outside of the lessons (except in cases where the course topic is relevant to these discussions). We wish to conduct these discussions in a balanced, moderate, inclusive, tolerant, and respectful manner, allowing the expression of diverse positions. We call on the university community to base these discussions as much as possible on theory, research, and facts—the main basic materials that make up the foundations of the university and position it as one of the leading research institutions in the world.

 

 

Next week we will hold discussion circles on the different campuses. This is an initiative of faculty members and students, which was approved by the management and will not be held at the expense of classes. In the discussion circles, university faculty lecturers, from relevant fields of knowledge, will talk with student groups in an informal atmosphere about the consequences of the emerging legislation, as they see it. Four lecturers will lead the discussion in each circle. The discussions in these circles must take place according to the principles listed above. Additional groups interested in holding such discussion circles are invited to coordinate this with the Dean of Students.

We must all remember that the university community is very diverse. Not everyone holds the same opinion. Beyond that, not everyone is interested in taking part in public discussions of this type, and this is also a right that should be respected. Therefore, we repeat and ask not to use the lessons to hold discussions on these topics (except when it is the subject of the lesson) and to be careful about a respectful and inclusive discussion that allows full expression for everyone.

Yours,

Asher Cohen, President

Tamir Sheafer, Rector