ISAC policy

The Organizing Committee of ISAC 2025 expresses its deep concern over the worsening situation in Gaza and the devastating escalation of human loss and cultural destruction by ongoing Israeli military actions.

As scholars of archaeology and history, we are acutely aware that war threatens not only lives and communities but also the heritage that sustains collective memory. We condemn the intensifying destruction in Gaza, including attacks on civilians and cultural sites. We also oppose the use of archaeological and cultural institutions as instruments of oppression, exclusion, or justification for violence. Our conference is a space for dialogue across political and national boundaries, and we affirm that academic debate—including on urgent issues such as war, occupation, heritage, and academic affiliation—is essential to our mission.

Earlier this year, ISAC issued an ethical statement affirming our adherence to international standards against looting, illicit trade, and the misuse of cultural heritage, in line with the 1970, 1972, and 2001 UNESCO Conventions. These principles guide our work and remain central to our values.

Within the committee, we are actively discussing how best to uphold these commitments in light of current events. Our conversations address institutional affiliation, ethical responsibility, and how to ensure that ISAC remains both inclusive and principled. While our members hold different perspectives, we share a commitment to open discussion, critical reflection, and academic freedom.