Israeli universities spend $800,000 to counter European academic boycotts

A six-month investigation by Investigate Europe and Reporters United has revealed that the Association of University Rectors of Israel (VERA) has spent $800,000 over the last two years on legal efforts to counter academic boycott initiatives in Europe.

Acting on behalf of VERA, the Brussels-based law firm Kesher contacted 27 universities across nine European countries. These efforts included sending legal letters, collaborating with local law firms, and seeking support from national authorities to protect Israeli institutions' participation in European research programs, specifically the EU’s Horizon Europe program.

In Belgium, Ghent University decided to withdraw from Horizon Europe projects involving Israeli institutions it deemed linked to the Israeli state, military, or security services. In response, Kesher petitioned the European Commission on behalf of Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science, arguing there is no legal basis for excluding these institutions based on human rights or ethical grounds.

Similar tensions have emerged in France, where discussions regarding the termination of academic collaborations with Israeli universities have surfaced at Sorbonne University. Internal documents suggest Kesher has worked closely with the Israeli Ambassador to Paris, Joshua Zarka, during these processes.