١Israeli universities are witnessing an unprecedented wave of boycotts by academics since the beginning of the war on Gaza, reaching more than 300 cases of boycott, according to data from the Committee of University Presidents, which was published today, Sunday.

Belgium recorded the highest number of boycotts of Israeli academics, reaching more than 40 cases, followed by the United States with more than 35 boycotts, then Britain with more than 20 cases, and the Netherlands with more than 15 boycotts, while Italy recorded more than 10 boycotts following an initiative launched by its academic union.

The boycott of Israeli universities and academics is expressed in many forms, the most prominent of which is the refusal to publish scientific articles, which numbered approximately 50 cases.

About 30 lectures by Israeli academics were also cancelled, while about 30 cases were recorded in which foreign academics refused to give lectures at scientific conferences and study days organised by Israeli universities.

About 30 cases of cancellation or suspension of research cooperation or between Israeli and foreign universities and student exchanges were recorded.

This boycott of Israeli universities included many faculties and scientific fields, including history, law, archaeology, Jewish studies, cultures, natural sciences, and engineering.

The data indicated that "the situation is particularly serious" in Belgium, which cancelled about 15 academic grants, and other cases included refusing to issue recommendations and reports to Israeli researchers and ignoring written or verbal messages from them.

“The academic boycott is one of the central challenges facing Israeli universities, since October 7, in the international arena,” said Emmanuel Nachshon Schlinger, head of the anti-academic boycott team at the Committee of Presidents of Israeli Universities.

He added that the phenomenon of academic boycott is escalating significantly following the war and threatens to target the Israeli academic standing.