LEBANON: Show aggression by operational with Israelis

A professor at the American University of Beirut has been criticized for writing a book in collaboration with two scholars from the University of Tel Aviv, according to the Los Angeles Times. Lebanese law forbids its citizens from having any contact with Israelis.
Sari Hannifin angered social scientist colleagues and students at the university, many of which support a proposed academic boycott of Israeli universities. Later interrupted speaking engagements in the UK to appear before a meeting of students and staff on the campus of UAB in which he apologized for the offense caused, but defended his actions.

The AUB Provost Ahmad Dallas, reminded all scholars of the need to respect the law. Hannifin advocates claim that he had been subjected to a "witch hunt."

Los Angeles Times

MALAYSIA: Political attacks state of academic freedom

Malaysia group Lauran independent media reports that an academic-turned-politician has attacked the state of academic freedom in the country, alleging a culture of fear prevented scholars from properly analyzing their current situation.

Husain Side Ali, vice president of the People's Justice Party and former president of the Association of Social Sciences of Malaysia, delivered the withdrawal at the end of the seventh Malaysian Studies Conference at the University Saints Malaysia, Penang on March 18 .

His statements were motivated by a special speaker at the conference refrained from separating your subject for fear of offending the government. He also highlighted the continuing cases of academics and students facing disciplinary action for participating in political activity, and has claimed many rectors were nominated to their positions by the government.

www.aliran.com

Zimbabwe: Minister of Justice punishes Faculty of Law

The Zimbabwe Mail reports that Justice Minister Patrick Cinemas has criticized the Law Faculty of the University of Zimbabwe to become too involved in politics and to deny admission to officials in his lectures.

Cinemas reportedly sued the authority was being 'half' attorneys were legal damaging the reputation of the country. However, The Mail says his comments are designed to divert attention from the crippling disease of higher education in Zimbabwe caused by the mishandling of the ZANU-PF of the economy and the desire to be seen to expand the higher education system, despite the critical lack of resources.

Mail also condemned government interference in the appointment of President Robert Mugabe as the sole director of all the universities of the country and the establishment of sub-classified as Pro-executive vice-deans' party comrades.

The Zimbabwe Mail

FRANCE: The teacher faces a defamation proceedings French

Times Higher Education reports that Professor Joseph Wailer, Professor Jean Monnet of the European Union Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of New York, faces charges of defamation in a French court after refusing to throw a Accounting negative review of a website connected to a magazine that he publishes.

The author, Karin Calvo-Goller of the Academic Center of Law and Business in Israel, says the magazine, published in 2007, could harm its reputation and prevent further academic promotion. Wailer refused to modify the opinion in the present form, but it did happen to comments from reviewer Calvo-Goller in and offered the opportunity to publish an online response. He received a subpoena in 2008.

The case must be before a court in Paris in June. Wailer is urging readers of the magazine to present critical reviews of books in an effort to illustrate that common.