Controversy Over Minister's Demand to Cancel Professor's Participation in Archaeology Conference

The 49th Israeli Archaeology Conference, which was set to bring together 80 researchers from across the country, has been postponed indefinitely following political pressure from Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party. Eliyahu demanded the cancellation of Prof. Rafi Greenberg’s participation, citing his critical stance on archaeological excavations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which he argues dispossess Palestinians of their land.

The conference, which was expected to feature a range of top archaeologists, became embroiled in controversy after a letter from the right-wing organization Ad Kan accused Greenberg of undermining Israeli sovereignty. The letter alleged that Greenberg had called for a boycott of a February conference in Jerusalem discussing archaeology in the West Bank. Furthermore, it criticized Greenberg for calling the event a "showcase" for archaeologists aligned with settlers and accused them of supporting "ethnic cleansing in Gaza."

In response, Minister Eliyahu demanded that the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) cancel Greenberg’s participation in the upcoming conference. When IAA Director General Eli Escozido declined to act on the request, Eliyahu escalated the matter, arguing that Greenberg’s actions against the state disqualified him from participating in state-sponsored events.

Academics Stand Firm Against Political Interference

Despite the minister’s pressure, many archaeologists and academic leaders rallied in defense of academic freedom. Prof. Yuval Gadot, head of the Archaeological Institute at Tel Aviv University, stated that while he did not agree with Greenberg's views, he firmly opposed any political interference in academic conferences. "There can be no political interference. I will not attend if Rafi is banned," Gadot said.

In a collective response, heads of archaeological institutes from across the country condemned the political pressure and declared their opposition to government interference in academic events. Many researchers subsequently announced they would boycott the conference, leading to its eventual cancellation.

"The Struggle Has Just Begun"

The archaeological advocacy organization Emek Shaveh, co-founded by Greenberg, expressed strong support for the academic community's stance. “We regret the cancellation but see it as a vital and important step,” the group stated. “The minister’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law, but this is only the beginning. The archaeological community must now demand compliance with both local and international law as fundamental conditions for our work.”

Emek Shaveh also highlighted the importance of preserving the independence of archaeology and academia from political influence. They accused Eliyahu of breaking into the Yemeni field, citing his previous controversial actions in the past.

Political Backdrop and Growing Tensions

The incident comes amid rising tensions between the Israeli government and academics critical of policies related to the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Minister Eliyahu’s stance reflects a broader ideological divide over Israeli archaeology in the Palestinian territories, with critics accusing the government of using archaeology as a tool to legitimize settlement expansion.

While the cancellation of the conference has highlighted the growing intersection of politics and academia in Israel, it also raises larger questions about the role of archaeology in national identity and territorial disputes.

The Future of Academic Freedom in Israel

As the debate continues, the conflict between political demands and academic autonomy remains a pressing issue in Israel. The archaeologists who oppose Eliyahu’s interference in the conference are now calling for greater safeguards to protect academic freedom, both within Israel and on the international stage.

The controversy is likely to have long-lasting repercussions, not just for Israeli archaeology but for the future of scholarly independence in Israel’s political landscape.