A GERMAN UNIVERSITY HOLDS AN ONLINE MEETING WITH AN ISRAELI FRIEND.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, JANUARY 4, 2024 13:02

University Hospital, University of Bonn, (photo credit: REUTERS/THILO SCHMUELGEN)

This is the first time since the terrorist attack on Hamas on October 7 that the Association of Heads of Israeli Universities has met.

Since the Gaza war began, leaders from 15 German U15 universities and nine Israeli research universities (VERA) have gathered virtually to discuss verbal and even physical attacks against Jews and Israelis on campuses in various places around the world, including in Germany. This is the first time since the terrorist attack on Hamas on October 7 that the Association of Heads of Israeli Universities has met.

Germany's U15 universities have once again made it clear to Israeli partners that they will collaborate with them strongly in these difficult times. Both academic groups stated that there is a strong commitment to continue, expand, and intensify collaboration in various fields of science and the humanities, with synergies from academic excellence on both sides.

The university leaders discussed the Hamas attacks, the ongoing war, and the impact of education in Israel. At the same time, they also discussed ways to enhance academic cooperation and exchange between Israel and Germany. Agreeing to continue the exchange, the two groups will meet in person in Israel as soon as conditions allow.

Rector of the University of Bonn and chairman of the German U15, Prof. Michael Hoch, stated, "We condemn with all our might the violent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on the morning of October 7." Israeli universities are our closest, most trusting, and most important cooperation partners, and we stand firm with them. We strongly condemn any form of antisemitism and take firm action against it. We very much expect to resume exchanges soon with our Israeli colleagues, also in Israel."

Together with the current challenges, we are also looking forward to the future," says Prof. Arie Zaban, chairman of the Association of Heads of Universities in Israel and president of Bar-Ilan University (BIU) in Ramat Gan. Israeli and German research has been going on for many years, and we have achieved impressive breakthroughs. We appreciate the desire of our German friends to further expand and strengthen academic collaboration, with the increasing support of the university president and the government. Zaban concluded, "We thank you for the announcement that you plan to make a solidarity visit to Israel in the near future and for supporting us, especially during this time."

News Sources : https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-780737