Harvard Expands Academic Partnerships With Israeli Universities

In response to federal pressure and allegations of mishandling antisemitism, Harvard University announced a significant expansion of its academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. Beginning in spring 2026, Harvard undergraduates will be able to participate in a credit-bearing study abroad program at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, an institution known for its research in climate science, biotechnology, and desert studies. Concurrently, Harvard Medical School launched the Kalaniyot Postdoctoral Fellowship, funded by major foundations, to support Israeli researchers conducting biomedical studies in Boston. These initiatives follow a January 2025 legal settlement with advocacy groups and a formal federal finding that Harvard demonstrated "deliberate indifference" to antisemitism on campus, resulting in withheld federal funding. Harvard's leadership framed these moves as part of a broader effort to strengthen academic ties with Israel and enhance regional collaboration. The programs aim to offer unique interdisciplinary opportunities and address concerns about antisemitism while reinforcing Harvard's international educational commitments.