Academic Boycott Hits Israeli Universities Amid Gaza War, Report Warns
Israeli universities face 50% drop in foreign students and 21% decline in research output as academic sanctions gain momentum globally post-Gaza assault.
Watan-A report from the Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies (Madār) shows an escalating academic boycott of Israeli universities since the start of the Gaza war. According to official data presented to the Knesset’s science and education committees:
-
Foreign student enrollment in Israeli universities has dropped by roughly 50% since the conflict began.
-
-
Scientific publications have declined by approximately 21%.
Knesset members warned of a “real danger” to Israel’s global academic standing, citing overseas partners distancing themselves. Universities, including Ben-Gurion University, described the backlash as a state-level threat impacting research, security, and the economy. Professors cautioned that labs may relocate abroad and described a risk of losing key EU research funding programs like Horizon.
Officials revealed that research articles co-authored with EU partners gain triple the citation impact—11 citations on average per domestic paper versus 33 for international collaborations. The academic ministry allocated $40 million to preserve international cooperation, but challenges persist.
The Israeli National Academy of Sciences issued a warning titled: “Israeli Science at Real Risk: Academy Warns of EU Severing Ties.” They cited EU reviews of partnership agreements under human rights provisions post-Gaza war, compounded by U.S. funding cuts under the Trump administration—both endangering Israel’s inclusion in Horizon grants and broader research infrastructure.
A Haaretz article noted over 20 global universities have begun academic boycotts, and EU foreign ministers debated suspending Israeli research programs. Israeli Academy leaders warned that even the mere discussion is damaging, undermining researcher morale and leading to international isolation.
