The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, both long-standing partners of the Academy, yesterday published a joint statement expressing full support for the position of Academy President Prof. David Harel and firm opposition to calls for academic boycotts against Israeli scientists and research institutions.

In their joint statement, the presidents of both organizations - Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee from DAAD and Prof. Robert Schlögl from the Humboldt Foundation - expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and full support for Prof. Harel's calls for comprehensive humanitarian aid and the release of Israeli hostages. "After the urgently needed end of the war, we in Germany must actively support the reconstruction of Gaza, particularly of schools, higher education institutions, and research infrastructure," they declared.

Simultaneously, both organizations voiced sharp criticism of boycott calls against Israeli scientists and research institutions. "We stand by the State of Israel, its people, and its scientific community," Schlögl and Mukherjee emphasized. "We therefore continue to oppose, without reservation, any boycott demands targeting Israeli science organizations, universities, and scientists. Science is a voice of reason that should be strengthened."

The statement takes on special significance against the backdrop of concerning trends of academic isolation against Israel in Europe, and constitutes a clear message that even in times of crisis, scientific cooperation stands above political disputes.