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The recent incident involving Israeli microbiologists Omry Koren and Moran Yassour’s attempt to form a research partnership with a Belgian scientist is just one example of the growing academic boycott that Israeli scientists believe is a result of their country’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. This boycott has not only harmed Israel but has also negatively impacted the field of science, which heavily relies on global collaboration for advancements and breakthroughs.
After Israel’s retaliatory actions following the Oct. 7 attack, numerous researchers in Israel have experienced invitations being rescinded, papers being removed from review, funding being suspended, and requests for usual academic evaluations being ignored or rejected. In addition to these incidents, Israeli researchers have been met with hostility and prejudice when attempting to engage in collaborations or apply for shared grants.
For instance, Nir Davidson from the Weizmann Institute of Science faced rejection from an Italian colleague due to the actions of his country, and an Israeli professor giving a talk at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas was disrupted by protesters who accused him of supporting genocide. These instances highlight the adverse effects of the academic boycott on Israeli scientists and their ability to contribute to global scientific endeavors.
The University of Ghent in Belgium has instructed its researchers to drop projects involving Israeli partners or remove Israelis from consortia altogether. This directive has put an end to collaborative efforts on various important topics such as water purification, Alzheimer’s disease, particle physics, and obesity. Furthermore, Israeli researchers have been met with hostility and prejudice when attempting to engage in collaborations or apply for shared grants. This boycott not only harms Israel but also impedes scientific progress and hampers global cooperation in this vital field.
