President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Prof. David Harel, delivered a speech yesterday, May 22, before the General Assembly of ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, taking place in Berlin. The organization, founded in 1994, serves as a liaison and coordinating body between the academies, in which the Israel Academy operates within it as a founding member.

 

“As President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, I plead with you to help us to continue to do what we do best – front line research in all branches of the sciences and humanities, in close collaboration with our colleagues abroad – and without threats of boycotts or calls for us to disappear hovering over our heads... I would thus like to humbly, but firmly, urge you, heads of our fellow European academies – and via you also universities and research institutions in your respective countries – to unequivocally reject the use of academic boycotts as a tool to deal with geopolitical issues.”

 

“I would also like to appeal to academic institutions worldwide to stand firm against manifestations of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments that often masquerade as political criticism. It is essential to maintain an academic environment free of discrimination and prejudice, ensuring that all members of the academic community can contribute to scientific research and education without fear of bias or boycott.”