# European-Israeli academic partnership tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-israeli-academic-partnership-tensions > Updated: 2026-09-15T06:00:38.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Tensions have escalated between Israeli and European academic institutions regarding research partnerships and boycotts. Investigations revealed that the Association of University Rectors of Israel (VERA) spent approximately $800,000 over two years on legal efforts to counter European academic boycott initiatives. Through the law firm Kesher, these efforts targeted 27 universities across nine countries to protect Israeli participation in programs like the EU’s Horizon Europe. Specific conflicts have emerged in Belgium, where Ghent University withdrew from projects involving Israeli institutions linked to the military or state. In France, discussions regarding the termination of collaborations have surfaced at Sorbonne University. Concurrently, institutions in Denmark and Sweden are facing scrutiny. In Denmark, the University of Copenhagen’s exchange agreement with Tel Aviv University has drawn criticism from students who claim the university maintains a ‘war room’ for military technology development. In Sweden, activists are calling for universities to end formal collaborations with Israeli institutions in favor of supporting Palestinian academics, citing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) guidelines. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-15: European universities face scrutiny over Israeli academic partnerships Universities in Denmark and Sweden face criticism over exchange agreements with Israeli institutions, specifically regarding research linked to military technology and the Israel-Palestine conflict. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-universities-face-scrutiny-over-israeli-academic-partnerships ### 2026-09-09: Israeli universities spend $800,000 to counter European academic boycotts Israeli university representatives have spent $800,000 on legal actions to prevent European academic boycotts and protect participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research program. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-universities-spend-800000-to-counter-european-academic-boycotts --- Cite as: European-Israeli academic partnership tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-israeli-academic-partnership-tensions