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Dyab Abou Jahjah@Aboujahjah · Jun 15, 2025

Two days ago, Israel assassinated nine Iranian scientists — university professors and researchers — in targeted…

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Summary

A thread argues that Israel's targeted killing of nine Iranian scientists and academics constitutes a war crime under international law, as these civilians were not active military combatants. The author criticizes the lack of global academic and human rights response compared to what might occur if another state killed Western scholars, arguing selective application of international humanitarian law threatens academic freedom everywhere.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    Two days ago, Israel assassinated nine Iranian scientists — university professors and researchers — in targeted airstrikes. Some of them were killed together with their families. Western media is acting as if this is an act of war. Yet, this is a war crime, here’s why. 🧵 1/

  2. #2

    2/ Under international law, these scientists are civilians. A university professor does not lose civilian status simply because their expertise may have military applications.

  3. #3

    3/ Unless they are active members of the armed forces or directly participating in hostilities at the time, scientists are protected under the Geneva Conventions.

  4. #4

    3/ This principle exists to safeguard academics, engineers, and researchers everywhere from becoming expendable targets in geopolitical conflicts.

  5. #5

    4/ Not just in Iran, Palestinian scholars, engineers and even doctors in Gaza have repeatedly been assassinated or killed in airstrikes on universities and research centers. In various countries, experts in nuclear and missile research were also assassinated by Israel.

  6. #6

    5/ Yet, where is the indignation of the global academic community? Where are the statements from universities, scientific associations, human rights defenders, and those who claim to defend academic freedom?

  7. #7

    6/ One must ask: Would the silence be the same if another state killed nine Israeli or Western professors in their offices or laboratories?

  8. #8

    7/ Academic freedom must not be selective. The principle of distinction under international humanitarian law must apply equally to all.

  9. #9

    8/ The targeted killing of scholars sets a dangerous precedent that threatens civilian expertise worldwide, irrespective of nationality or political context. Again and again, Israeli criminal practices and the impunity it enjoys are a danger to all. This impunity must end.