The comprehensive report by the Samuel Neaman Institute provides an in-depth analysis of the academic boycott against Israel, focusing on the impact of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) activities on the Israeli higher education system and research community. It highlights the growing threat these campaigns pose to Israel’s global academic standing, which has long been marked by scientific excellence, extensive international collaborations, and strong research output.
The report documents cases of political filtering, institutional exclusion, and both overt and covert boycotts of Israeli scholars. These practices are increasingly affecting academic advancement, international visibility, and the ability to attract foreign students—posing a serious and escalating threat to Israeli academia.
Situating the boycott within a broader context of delegitimization efforts and rising global antisemitism, the report reveals links between hostile states funding and anti-Israel activism on U.S. and European campuses. It warns of the infiltration of radical political narratives into the humanities, suppression of pro-Israel voices, and growing ideological censorship, all of which erode core principles of academic freedom.
In response, the report outlines a series of actionable recommendations across three levels—national, institutional, and individual. These include enhancing international advocacy, establishing mechanisms to monitor and address boycott incidents, forging new global partnerships, creating a network of “academic ambassadors,” and providing the necessary tools, including legal support, to affected researchers. The central conclusion is that a coordinated, multidisciplinary, and long-term strategy—rooted in sound strategic planning—is essential to ensure Israel’s continued scientific prosperity despite the challenges posed by academic boycotts
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