The LMU board has engaged in discussions with the organizer of the planned seminar "The Targeting of the Palestinian Academia," Professor Andreas Kaplony, Chair of Arabic and Islamic Studies. These discussions addressed both the academic character of the event and security concerns. The following mutually agreed approach resulted:
- The event scheduled for 28 November 2025 will not take place.
- In the near future, Professor Kaplony, members of the university leadership, and Faculty members will begin developing suitable academic formats for topics of this sensitivity.
- Such a format will be implemented in the foreseeable future.
LMU did not take this decision lightly and weighed all relevant academic and legal considerations. Academic freedom is of paramount importance; in this case, however, there were doubts as to whether the event met the necessary academic standards. LMU is committed to upholding academic freedom, free speech, constructive conflict resolution, and respect for differing viewpoints.
Because LMU stands for providing opportunities rather than imposing prohibitions, we will use this occasion to develop an integrative strategy. Beyond this specific case, we will design academically grounded event formats that may serve as models for how LMU will address similar topics in the future.
With these formats, we aim to demonstrate that within the university setting it is possible to combine intense controversy with respectful dialogue, and to reconcile personal engagement with scholarly distance. If we succeed, we will come closer to the true idea of the university-one in which the scientific process is what ultimately matters.
