At the beginning of November, the French-Israeli sociologist found himself canceled from a seminar at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, because he was once a member of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, researchers learned that he was invited again to come and speak in the near future. Friday, November 21, the Dutch university issued a press release apologizing to Eva Illouz, known for her work on the relationship between emotions and capitalism.
In a letter addressed to sociologists and published on the Erasmus University website, the institution’s rector, Jantine Schuit, regretted “regrettable mistake” and without “no basis”. “Not only is the withdrawal of the invitation unnecessary, but it also raises legitimate questions and understandable anger, given the current highly sensitive geopolitical context.”we can read. Jantine Schuit also announced that she was repeating her invitation to academics and essayists to come and discuss during a master class dedicated to academic freedom. “during times of unrest and geopolitical tension”.
Eva Illouz is scheduled to speak at a conference on November 21 at Erasmus University as part of a seminar entitled “Romantic Love and Capitalism”. After its cancellation, he criticized the decision “anti-Semitic” and announced that he was filing a complaint for discrimination. He now considers the case closed and, through his lawyers François Zimeray and Jessica Finelle, welcomes it “an attitude that eliminates hatred and prejudice and reminds us of the main task of a university: to create a space for dialogue where science must develop and not obscurantism”.
