We, the undersigned, express our deep concern and disappointment over the decision by Education Minister Yoav Kisch to cancel the Israel Prize awarded to Professor Eva Illouz in the field of sociology.

This decision is not merely an affront to Prof. Illouz herself—it represents a profound moral and strategic mistake that undermines the very foundations of the Israeli spirit: intellectual freedom, excellence, complexity, and pluralism.

Prof. Eva Illouz is one of Israel’s leading intellectuals and among the most influential sociologists in the world today. Her groundbreaking research on emotions, love, consumer culture, identity, and power has reshaped global sociological and cultural discourse. Her work, translated into many languages, has been recognized internationally and has had significant impact far beyond the boundaries of her discipline.

As a senior fellow at the Institute for Israeli Thought, Prof. Illouz has dedicated her brilliance to understanding Israeli society and proposing structural reforms aimed at building a stronger, more just state—one rooted in solidarity and civic ethics. Since October 7th, she has been an unapologetic advocate for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, courageously confronting hostile audiences in Europe and challenging the moral failures of the global left.

Prof. Illouz is not only an intellectual force—she is also a symbol of perseverance and excellence. Born in Fez, Morocco, raised in Paris, and later immigrating to Israel, she reached the heights of global academia through her originality, courage, and deep moral clarity. Her recognition with the Israel Prize was a moment of long-overdue justice: the state finally honoring a Mizrahi woman who rose from the margins to the center by the strength of her ideas.

The cancellation of her award sends a chilling message: that political conformity is now a condition for public recognition. Instead of promoting excellence, critical thought, and diversity, this decision aligns the state with a narrow, punitive ideology that suppresses dissent and instrumentalizes past injustices for the sake of current power.

The Israel Prize is not merely a medal—it is a national declaration of what we value. Revoking it under political pressure erodes public trust in our institutions and in our shared intellectual heritage. It damages the legitimacy of critical thought, and ultimately, harms Israeli democracy and resilience.

We call on you, Minister Kisch, to reverse this decision—not as a personal gesture, and not for political gain, but out of a profound commitment to the values that have carried Israel through its most trying times: freedom of thought, intellectual rigor, and moral courage.