A growing number of universities worldwide are cutting ties with Israeli academia, following allegations that it is complicit in the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government. According to sources, more than 63,000 individuals, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in Gaza, which is now facing a “man-made” famine. In response, numerous academic organizations, such as the European Association of Social Anthropologists, are severing links with Israeli institutions. The University of Amsterdam has also ended a student exchange program with Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Despite the movement against academic collaborations with Israeli institutions, some universities in the UK, France, and Germany have not announced any disconnections, with Universities UK stating it is against academic boycotts. Nobel laureate and former president of the Royal Society Venki Ramakrishnan expressed mixed feelings about boycotts, stating that while the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza are disproportionate and have resulted in harm for many civilians, a boycott would penalize those Israeli academics who oppose the government’s actions.
The situation and effectiveness of boycotts are debated, with some critics arguing that the majority of Israeli academics support the government and its actions. However, even as the movement gains momentum, signs indicate that it may be effective in influencing Israeli academia’s actions, with the Israeli government reportedly providing funds to combat the boycott and Israel’s share of EU research funding falling.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/13/universities-around-the-world-cut-ties-with-israeli-academia-over-gaza-war
