BERLIN

German academics researching Israel and Palestine are increasingly self-censoring their views amid a deteriorating climate for academic freedom, according to a new study released on Monday.

The research, titled "German Academia since October 7: Self-censorship and Restrictions among Researchers with Middle East Focus," surveyed approximately 2,000 scholars and found widespread concerns about restrictions on academic freedoms following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

The study by the Free University of Berlin revealed that almost 85% of respondents perceive an increasing or strongly increasing threat to academic freedom in Germany, with postdoctoral researchers reporting the highest concerns at 90.5%.

More than a quarter of respondents (25.9%) frequently feel unable to express themselves freely, with 76% specifically reporting self-censorship on Israel-related topics. This restraint appears most commonly at public events (81%) and in media contributions (54%).

The survey revealed that scholars restrict their expression mainly out of fear of being misunderstood, facing public hostility, or suffering professional repercussions. Researchers in Arabic studies, Islamic studies, and social sciences reported particularly high rates of self-censorship.

Among those surveyed, 47% of respondents reported experiencing no threats or restrictions, while others faced online hate speech and threats (19%), antisemitism accusations (19%), media defamation (16%), disinvitations (16%), and institutional exclusion (14%).

The study was conducted by the INTERACT Center for Interdisciplinary Peace and Conflict Studies at the Free University of Berlin.

Since October 2023, German authorities have imposed widespread restrictions on pro-Palestinian discourse by prohibiting hundreds of protests, canceling university panels and cultural activities, and preventing prominent international figures from speaking at pro-Palestinian events.

Numerous academic events and cultural exhibitions across Germany have been canceled or modified due to concerns about potential pro-Palestinian content, with several scholars and artists reporting cancellations after they expressed solidarity with Palestinians.

German authorities typically voice concerns about potential antisemitic statements at these events. Critics, however, argue that authorities misuse these concerns to suppress legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and incorrectly equate such criticism with antisemitism.