Here’s the report
| Protests Over A MAPS Affiliate’s Presence In Israel Interrupts Closing Panel |
| The demonstration during the conference’s closing panel focused on the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and its affiliate organization MAPS Israel, which is researching psychedelic-assisted therapies amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. |
| Just as the closing discussion panel, titled “Science, Culture, and the Evolving Role of Psychedelic Research Today,” rounded the 15-minute mark, Shalie West, a graduate student with a background in educational sociology, stood up and loudly interjected, “I’m sorry, but how can we discuss saving lives and revolutionary justice when we’re actively in a genocide?”
“And MAPS is working with the state of Israel,” said one of West’s fellow protestors, who later self-identified as Jewish but requested that their full identity be kept anonymous. |
| According to its website, MAPS Israel is “actively advancing and developing studies that explore the combined effects of psychotherapy and psychedelics… [that] are conducted with the approval and cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Health and mental health hospitals.” |
| In response to the disruption, Labate quickly stood up and attempted to de-escalate while honoring her organization’s commitment to open dialogue. She offered participants who raised concerns the opportunity to be “the first person to speak” during the post-panel Q&A session in exchange for giving the panel time to finish. |
| Following the closing discussion, which included MAPS founder Rick Doblin, along with MAPS co-executive directors Ismail Ali and Betty Aldworth, a number of audience members and conference attendees commented that the protest itself was a testament to the culture of critical discourse that Chacruna has fostered. Some noted that it showed a willingness to contribute to the ongoing debate about mental health research and training programs at prominent Israeli healthcare facilities, which operate with the support of the Israeli government. |
Reactions from audience members to the protesters as their objections unfolded varied widely, reflecting divergent views on complex Gulf Region conflicts throughout the U.S. A number of audience members angrily urged the protesters to “sit down and shut up.” Some actively cheered on the protesters’ comments, clapping in solidarity.
A sizeable portion of the audience appeared to boo loudly in response to a statement made by Doblin from the stage, where he said in response to the protestors’ request that MAPS condemn the “genocide in Gaza,” that he “wouldn’t call [the conflict in Gaza] a genocide.” |
| The allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza has been addressed in a United Nations Commission Report released in September 2025, which concluded that “Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” |
We popped over to the MAPS Israel website and a cursory read suggests that protesters have something.
There’s not much about helping Gazans, Palestinians etc
Lots of bullshit meaningless language that means nothong
MAPS Israel is an Israeli non-profit organization that advocates for psychedelic research and education to promote healing and mental wellness. We care about and actively support mental health, freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Located in the Middle East, we acknowledge the deep suffering experienced by all the people involved. We urge for the cessation of the devastating war and the immediate return of all hostages.
We call for a collaborative process that will lead to a peaceful resolution of this tragic conflict, respecting the rights of all parties involved and fostering a comprehensive process of liberation, rehabilitation, and healing.
MAPS Israel remains committed to efforts aimed at healing trauma and other mental health conditions. In the spirit of healing for all, this includes providing education and research to individuals of all religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds and orientations.
MAPS Israel focuses on promoting and supporting new, groundbreaking treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment resistant depression (TRD), eating disorders, and other medical indications.
