Over three hundred Western universities boycott Israel, claims Ben-Gurion University Rector

Following the October 7 "Al-Aqsa Hurricane" operation, Daniel Chamowitz, Ben-Gurion University's rector, said that more than 300 Western universities and research centers have imposed sanctions against Israel's academic establishments. Chamowitz claims that these penalties cover restrictions on participation in international conferences, cancellals of joint research papers, and suspensions of academic relationships. Reportedly among those implementing these policies are some prestigious academic establishments from Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Chamowitz pointed out that the boycott's effects go beyond academic connections since some institutions have also stopped funding businesses connected to Israeli colleges. Chamowitz added that these limitations have severely strained Israeli academics and that the consequences of current regional conflicts have worsened situations; about a quarter of faculty members and students have been called to active military duty.

Chamowitz claims that about 70,000 Ben-Gurion University alone students were drafted, which influences the university's operations and might cause financial cuts. He pointed out that Israel's educational system has suffered greatly from these disturbances as well as from mounting anti-Zionist demonstrations and calls for an academic boycott.

The university rector also attacked the silence of the international community on the latest disputes between Gaza and West Bank, which have attracted worldwide attention among continuous bloodshed. Chamowitz contended that public and scholarly criticism directed against Israel resulting from international censure had strengthened the boycott campaign.