05/13/2026, 01:32

Dear friends,

this is a kind reminder for the Science4Peace seminar, today, and the conclusion of the signature campaign for the open letter:

The world in flux. The impact for Europe
by
Prof T. Sauer (Antwerp University)
13 May 2026, 2 pm (CEST) (please not the unusual time)
ZOOM only
ZOOM: https://tinyurl.com/S4PseminarMay2026 (please register to participate)
Webpage: https://tinyurl.com/S4P-May-2026

Looking forward to seeing and hearing you later
Best
Hannes

03/20/2026, 12:53

New supporting organizations were added, but list became to long, the full list is science4peace.com/Petitions/Entries/2026/3/science4peace-open-letter-support-spains-stand-against-war-with-iran.html


New petition description:

Open Letter: Support Spain’s Stand Against War with Iran

Dear Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez,Dear Members of the Spanish Government,Dear Representatives of the Governments and Institutions of Europe,

We wish to express our strong support for the position taken by the Spanish government in firmly rejecting a war against Iran and in refusing to allow Spanish territory to be used for such a military escalation.

At a time of rising international tensions, when a military confrontation risks spreading across the Middle East and further destabilizing the international order, Spain is sending an important signal: a war without international legitimacy must not receive support.

At the same time, Spain has made clear that rejecting war does not in any way imply support for the policies of the Iranian regime. The repression of civil society, serious human rights violations, and destabilizing activities in the region give rise to grave concern. It is therefore both possible and necessary to clearly criticize and oppose these policies while rejecting a military intervention that would further escalate violence and undermine international law. Such a war would bring neither democracy nor security, stability, or justice to the region.

We particularly welcome the decision of the Spanish government not to authorize the use of the U.S. military bases in Rota and Morón for attacks against Iran. Although these bases are jointly operated with the United States, they remain under Spanish sovereignty and must not be used for military actions that contradict the principles of the Charter of the United Nations or contribute to further escalation. This decision demonstrates that governments can exercise their sovereign responsibility even under international pressure.

The position of your government builds on a strong democratic tradition within Spanish civil society: the clear message “No a la guerra” — No to war. This message became especially visible during the massive protests against the Iraq War in 2003, when millions of people in Spain took to the streets to oppose a military intervention without international legitimacy. Today, this message resonates far beyond Spain.

The Science4Peace Forum together with other organizations therefore calls on other European governments, as well as representatives from academia, civil society, and politics across Europe, to support this position and to follow Spain’s example:

• to refuse participation in the war and oppose further escalation;
• to deny the use of their territory, airspace, and military bases for offensive operations related to this conflict;
• to work within the European Union and the United Nations toward de-escalation and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations;
• to reaffirm that respect for international law is the indispensable foundation of responsible security policy.

Europe should not become a logistical platform for the expansion of war. Instead, it should play a constructive role in promoting diplomacy, restraint, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Spain’s decision shows that even in times of great international tension it is possible to resist pressure toward escalation and to stand firmly for diplomacy, international law, and peace.

At this dangerous moment in international politics, such a position is of particular importance.

OrganisationenScience4PeaceCampaign for Nuclear Disarmament (United Kingdom)NatWiss – Verantwortung für Frieden und ZukunftsfähigkeitInformationsstelle Militarisierung (IMI)Friedenswerkstatt Wedel Friedensnetzwerk Kreis Pinneberg Zusammenarbeitsausschuss der Friedensbewegung Schleswig-HolsteinInternational Peace Bureau Erhard-Eppler-Kreis Hamburger Forum für Völkerverständigung und weltweite Abrüstung Fried:A (Friedensinitiative Altona) DFG-VK Mittelbaden DIDF - Föderation Demokratischer Arbeitervereine Women for Peace – Finland Essener Friedensforum e.V. Pressenza - International Press Agency for Peace and Nonviolence Peace Movement of Orust, SwedenRete Ricerca e Università per la Palestina - RUP EPR4Palestine Global Strategy of Nonviolence World BEYOND War RootsAction Education Fund Friedensinitiative Hamburg-Niendorf Kritische MIN-Studierende University of Hamburg Attac - HamburgDeutsche Sektion der Internationalen Ärzt*innen zur Verhütung eines Atomkriegs (IPPNW)International(IPPNW)(complete Unionlist ofis Scientists (IUS)here)

03/19/2026, 12:07

New supporting organizations were added .


New petition description:

Open Letter: Support Spain’s Stand Against War with Iran

Dear Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez,Dear Members of the Spanish Government,Dear Representatives of the Governments and Institutions of Europe,

We wish to express our strong support for the position taken by the Spanish government in firmly rejecting a war against Iran and in refusing to allow Spanish territory to be used for such a military escalation.

At a time of rising international tensions, when a military confrontation risks spreading across the Middle East and further destabilizing the international order, Spain is sending an important signal: a war without international legitimacy must not receive support.

At the same time, Spain has made clear that rejecting war does not in any way imply support for the policies of the Iranian regime. The repression of civil society, serious human rights violations, and destabilizing activities in the region give rise to grave concern. It is therefore both possible and necessary to clearly criticize and oppose these policies while rejecting a military intervention that would further escalate violence and undermine international law. Such a war would bring neither democracy nor security, stability, or justice to the region.

We particularly welcome the decision of the Spanish government not to authorize the use of the U.S. military bases in Rota and Morón for attacks against Iran. Although these bases are jointly operated with the United States, they remain under Spanish sovereignty and must not be used for military actions that contradict the principles of the Charter of the United Nations or contribute to further escalation. This decision demonstrates that governments can exercise their sovereign responsibility even under international pressure.

The position of your government builds on a strong democratic tradition within Spanish civil society: the clear message “No a la guerra” — No to war. This message became especially visible during the massive protests against the Iraq War in 2003, when millions of people in Spain took to the streets to oppose a military intervention without international legitimacy. Today, this message resonates far beyond Spain.

The Science4Peace Forum together with other organizations therefore calls on other European governments, as well as representatives from academia, civil society, and politics across Europe, to support this position and to follow Spain’s example:

• to refuse participation in the war and oppose further escalation;
• to deny the use of their territory, airspace, and military bases for offensive operations related to this conflict;
• to work within the European Union and the United Nations toward de-escalation and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations;
• to reaffirm that respect for international law is the indispensable foundation of responsible security policy.

Europe should not become a logistical platform for the expansion of war. Instead, it should play a constructive role in promoting diplomacy, restraint, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Spain’s decision shows that even in times of great international tension it is possible to resist pressure toward escalation and to stand firmly for diplomacy, international law, and peace.

At this dangerous moment in international politics, such a position is of particular importance.

OrganisationenScience4PeaceCampaign for Nuclear Disarmament (United Kingdom)NatWiss – Verantwortung für Frieden und ZukunftsfähigkeitInformationsstelle Militarisierung (IMI)Friedenswerkstatt Wedel Friedensnetzwerk Kreis Pinneberg Zusammenarbeitsausschuss der Friedensbewegung Schleswig-HolsteinInternational Peace Bureau Erhard-Eppler-Kreis Hamburger Forum für Völkerverständigung und weltweite Abrüstung Fried:A (Friedensinitiative Altona) DFG-VK Mittelbaden DIDF - Föderation Demokratischer Arbeitervereine Women for Peace – Finland Essener Friedensforum e.V. Pressenza - International Press Agency for Peace and Nonviolence Peace Movement of Orust, SwedenRete Ricerca e Università per la Palestina - RUP EPR4Palestine Global Strategy of Nonviolence World BEYOND War RootsAction Education Fund Friedensinitiative Hamburg-Niendorf Kritische MIN-Studierende University of Hamburg Attac - HamburgDeutsche Sektion der Internationalen Ärzt*innen zur Verhütung eines Atomkriegs (IPPNW)International Union of Scientists (IUS)

First Signatures(the affiliations are given for identification only, and do not imply endorsement by the institutions):PeopleProf Michael Staack – Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg (Emeritus)Prof August Pradetto – Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg (Emeritus)Prof Johannes Varwick – University of Halle-WittenbergProf Jürgen Scheffran – University of Hamburg (Emeritus)Dr Hannes Jung – DESY; University of Antwerp (Emeritus); Chair Science4PeaceDr Hans von Sponeck – Former UN Assistant Secretary-General Malte Albrecht – Chair NatWissReiner Braun – Board Member, International Peace Bureau Dr Sonja Brentjes – previously Max Planck Institute for the History of ScienceDr Lars Pohlmeier – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorsitzender)Dr Angelika Claußen – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorsitzende)Susanne Grabenhorst – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorstandsmitglied)Dr Uwe Trieschmann – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorstandsmitglied)Dr Christoph Dembowski – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorstandsmitglied)Dr Alexander Glazov – DESYDr Achim Juse – Neurophysiologe im Ruhestand, Friedensnetzwerk Kreis PinnebergProf Thomas Stodulka – University of MünsterFlorian Muhl – University of HamburgProf Norman Paech – University of Hamburg (Emeritus)Dr Sabine Großkopf – University of HamburgDr Roberto Giacomelli – INFNProfINFNDr Andrea Giammanco – UCLouvain, BelgiumDr Sandro Fonseca de Souza – Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ/BrazilAurelio Castro – Bisexual Research Group Heiko Ehrlichmann – DESYDr Greta Persico – University of Milan-BicoccaDr Bärbel Langmann – KlimaLabDr Marco Luppi – University of BolognaDr Denise Erb – HZDRDr Mariateresa Crosta – INAFDr Giacomo Ortona – INFNDr Valentina Scarpa – University of FlorenceDr Jan Sandel – pharmaceutical industryDr Michael Dittmar – ETH Zurich and CERN (retired)Prof Thomas Schücker – Aix-Marseille UniversityDr Sofia Andringa – LIPDr Andres Tanasijczuk – UCLouvain, BelgiumProf Hans-Jörg Kreowski - University of Bremen Prof Simone Sibilio – Ca' Foscari University VeniceDr Chiara Oppedisano – INFNProf Ugo Amaldi – TERA FoundationDr David Valls-Gabaud – CNRS - Observatoire de ParisProf Fabio Frosini – Università di Urbino Carlo BoProf Frank Fehrenbach – University of HamburgYusuf As – ver.di Gewerkschaftsrat Dr Flavio Del Santo – University of Geneva and International Union of Scientists against MilitarismDr Francesca Vidotto – IEM-CSIC, SpainDr Daniel Britzger – Max Planck Institute for Physics, MunichProf Carlo Rovelli – Aix-Marseille University Prof Vincenzo Riso – University of MinhoProf Elisa Giunchi – Università di MilanoProf Ahmed Bawa – University of JohannesburgDr Maria Rosaria Masullo – INFNProf Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone – University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Prof Soumitro Banerjee – IISER Kolkata, India (Emeritus)Dr Stefano Bianco – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) - Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati - ItalyProf Ahmed Bassalat – An-Najah National University, PalestineDr Sevgi Dogan – University of PisaDr Lorenzo Iannuzzi – University of FlorenceDr Marco Cattaneo – University of Helsinki Prof Elisabetta Petrucci - Sapienza Università di RomaDr Piero Donnini - Ca' Foscari University of Venice Francesca Navarro - Università degli Studi di MilanoDr Caterina Peroni - CNR IRPPSProf Silvia Bagni - University of BolognaProf Werner Ruf - University of Kassel (Emeritus) Andrea Sottile - Università degli Studi di MilanoProf Rosanna Morace - Università di SassariDr Cristiana Fiamingo – University of MilanDr Monica Zoppè – National Research Council (CNR), ItalyProf Leif Lönnblad – Lund UniversityProf Vito Antonio Baldassarro – University of BolognaProf Giorgio Mariani – Sapienza Università di Roma (Emeritus)Prof Annalisa Murgia – University of MilanProf Anne Maass – University of Padua (Emerita)Dr İlayda Özdemir – New York University Abu DhabiAntje Daum – DESYDr Angela Gargano – INFNProf Michael Gasser – Indiana University and International Union of Scientists (Emeritus)Dr(Emeritus)Prof Sabine Kraml – CNRS, FranceAndreu Miquel Ginestet Menke – Silent DiplomatSigyn Meder – Support Committee for Julian Assange, StockholmProf Peter Brandt – FernUniversität in Hagen (Emeritus)Dr Tiziana Nadalutti – University of PisaIrina Lukka – National Library of Finland, Slavic Collection (retired)Simona Troilo – Università dell'AquilaDr Eva Berglund – Stockholm UniversityIsabelle Casel – European Peace Project, German Peace CouncilDr Stephan Albrecht – University of Hamburg (retired)

The completcomplete list of First Signatures can be found on science4peace webpage (due to limited space only the fristfirst few signees are shown here).

03/13/2026, 12:12

Typo in Title needed to be corrected.


New justification:

First Signatures(the affiliations are given for identification only, and do not imply endorsement by the institutions):PeopleProf Michael Staack – Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg (Emeritus)Prof August Pradetto – Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg (Emeritus)Prof Johannes Varwick – University of Halle-WittenbergProf Jürgen Scheffran – University of Hamburg (Emeritus)Dr Hannes Jung – DESY; University of Antwerp (Emeritus); Chair Science4PeaceDr Hans von Sponeck – Former UN Assistant Secretary-General Malte Albrecht – Chair NatWissReiner Braun – Board Member, International Peace Bureau Dr Sonja Brentjes – previously Max Planck Institute for the History of ScienceDr Lars Pohlmeier – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorsitzender)Dr Angelika Claußen – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorsitzende)Susanne Grabenhorst – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorstandsmitglied)Dr Uwe Trieschmann – IPPNW Deutschland (Vorstandsmitglied)Dr Alexander Glazov – DESYDr Achim Juse – Neurophysiologe im Ruhestand, Friedensnetzwerk Kreis PinnebergProf Thomas Stodulka – University of MünsterFlorian Muhl – University of HamburgProf Norman Paech – University of Hamburg (Emeritus)Dr Sabine Großkopf – University of HamburgDr Roberto Giacomelli – INFNProf Andrea Giammanco – UCLouvain, BelgiumDr Sandro Fonseca de Souza – Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ/BrazilAurelio Castro – Bisexual Research Group Heiko Ehrlichmann – DESYDr Greta Persico – University of Milan-BicoccaDr Bärbel Langmann – KlimaLabDr Marco Luppi – University of BolognaDr Denise Erb – HZDRDr Mariateresa Crosta – INAFDr Giacomo Ortona – INFNDr Valentina Scarpa – University of FlorenceDr Jan Sandel – pharmaceutical industryDr Michael Dittmar – ETH Zurich and CERN (retired)Prof Thomas Schücker – Aix-Marseille UniversityDr Sofia Andringa – LIPDr Andres Tanasijczuk – UCLouvain, BelgiumProf Hans-Jörg Kreowski - University of Bremen Prof Simone Sibilio – Ca' Foscari University VeniceDr Chiara Oppedisano – INFNProf Ugo Amaldi – TERA FoundationDr David Valls-Gabaud – CNRS - Observatoire de ParisProf Fabio Frosini – Università di Urbino Carlo BoProf Frank Fehrenbach – University of HamburgYusuf As – ver.di Gewerkschaftsrat Dr Flavio Del Santo – University of Geneva and International Union of Scientists against MilitarismDr Francesca Vidotto – IEM-CSIC, SpainDr Daniel Britzger – Max Planck Institute for Physics, MunichProf Carlo Rovelli – Aix-Marseille University Prof Vincenzo Riso – University of MinhoProf Elisa Giunchi – Università di MilanoProf Ahmed Bawa – University of JohannesburgDr Maria Rosaria Masullo – INFNProf Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone – University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Prof Soumitro Banerjee – IISER Kolkata, India (Emeritus)Dr Stefano Bianco – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) - Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati - ItalyProf Ahmed Bassalat – An-Najah National University, PalestineDr Sevgi Dogan – University of PisaDr Lorenzo Iannuzzi – University of FlorenceDr Marco Cattaneo – University of Helsinki Prof Elisabetta Petrucci - Sapienza Università di RomaDr Piero Donnini - Ca' Foscari University of Venice Francesca Navarro - Università degli Studi di MilanoDr Caterina Peroni - CNR IRPPSProf Silvia Bagni - University of BolognaProf Werner Ruf - University of Kassel (Emeritus) Andrea Sottile - Università degli Studi di MilanoProf Rosanna Morace - Università di SassariDr Cristiana Fiamingo – University of MilanDr Monica Zoppè – National Research Council (CNR), ItalyProf Leif Lönnblad – Lund UniversityProf Vito Antonio Baldassarro – University of BolognaProf Giorgio Mariani – Sapienza Università di Roma (Emeritus)Prof Annalisa Murgia – University of MilanProf Anne Maass – University of Padua (Emerita)Dr İlayda Özdemir – New York University Abu DhabiAntje Daum – DESYDr Angela Gargano – INFNProf Michael Gasser – Indiana University and International Union of Scientists (Emeritus)Prof(Emeritus)Dr Sabine Kraml – CNRS, FranceAndreu Miquel Ginestet Menke – Silent DiplomatSigyn Meder – Support Committee for Julian Assange, StockholmProf Peter Brandt – FernUniversität in Hagen (Emeritus)Dr Tiziana Nadalutti – University of PisaIrina Lukka – National Library of Finland, Slavic Collection (retired)Simona Troilo – Università dell'AquilaDr Eva Berglund – Stockholm UniversityIsabelle Casel – European Peace Project, German Peace CouncilDr Stephan Albrecht – University of Hamburg (retired)

The complet list of First Signatures can be found on science4peace webpage (due to limited space only the frist few signees are shown here).