Addressed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
We, a group of professors, researchers, and academics in Lebanon from various universities and research centers, address the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to express our deep concern and strong condemnation of the Israeli attack that targeted the Lebanese University and resulted in painful human loss within the academic community.
Universities and educational institutions are not merely buildings or public facilities; they represent fundamental spaces for the production of knowledge, the development of critical thinking, and the protection of the scientific and cultural heritage of societies. Targeting them in times of conflict constitutes not only an attack against civilian institutions but also a direct violation of the right to education and scientific research, as well as of the humanitarian values upon which the international community is founded.
The targeting of academics and university institutions by the Israeli enemy undermines the foundations upon which contemporary societies are built and represents a serious threat to academic freedom and to the civilizational role that universities play in building peace and promoting understanding among peoples. It also constitutes a clear violation of the principles that protect educational institutions and their personnel in times of conflict.
In light of the role played by UNESCO in protecting education and culture and in promoting academic freedom worldwide, we call upon the organization to:Condemn the targeting of educational institutions and academic staff. Reaffirm the necessity of respecting and protecting universities and educational institutions in times of conflict. Support international initiatives aimed at protecting academic spaces and ensuring the continuity of education and scientific research in regions affected by crises.
Protecting universities is not merely an institutional matter; it is a moral commitment toward humanity as a whole, because defending the university means defending knowledge, human dignity, and the future of generations.
Beirut
March 2026
Signatories:
Professors, Researchers, and Academics
From Lebanon and from international universities and research centers