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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iranian-strikes-hit-the-core-of-israeli-scientific-research">english.almayadeen.net</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Iranian strikes hit the core of Israeli scientific research: Haaretz</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">July 1, 2025</div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>Iranian
strikes caused extensive damage to Israeli universities and research
institutes, halting key projects and threatening "Israel's" academic
ties with Europe.</p><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/7/1/efa1b661-1c4b-40a6-93dc-dfdb4bec36d0.jpg?width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/7/1/efa1b661-1c4b-40a6-93dc-dfdb4bec36d0.jpg?width=1000&preset=w700" alt="Haaretz" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the site of
the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by missiles fired from
Iran, in Rehovot, on Friday, June 20, 2025. <em>(AP)</em>
</li></div></ul>
<p>Universities and research institutes in "Israel" have become direct
targets of Iranian strikes during the recent war, which led to extensive
destruction of laboratories and academic buildings, with damages
estimated in the hundreds of millions of shekels, the Israeli newspaper <em>Haaretz</em> reported on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Experts are warning of a long-term crisis in the scientific research sector, the report indicated.</p>
<h2>Scientific research at the heart of Iranian targeting</h2>
<p>According to <em>Haaretz</em>, some of <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-trust-in-missile-defenses-shaken-after-deadly-strike">"Israel's" most prominent defense systems</a>, including the Iron Dome and David\u2019s Sling, originated from academic research at universities.</p>
<p>It noted that universities, particularly Ben-Gurion University, serve
as key training grounds for air force pilots and senior intelligence
officers.</p>
<p>\u201cFor the first time, we are truly being targeted,\u201d said Professor
Daniel Chamovitz, President of the Association of University Heads,
referring to Iranian precision strikes that <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iranian-strike-on-weizmann-wipes-out-years-of-israeli-war-re">hit the Weizmann Institute</a>, Ben-Gurion University, Tel Aviv University, and the Technion.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/none-of--israel-s--goals-achieved-in-war-on-iran--haaretz">None of 'Israel\u2019s' goals achieved in war on Iran: Haaretz</a></strong></p>
<h2>Widespread damage, dozens of labs out of service</h2>
<p>The <em>Haaretz</em> report highlighted that the Weizmann Institute
suffered partial destruction in 45 laboratories, with 20 others damaged.
Iranian missiles also struck the medical school at Ben-Gurion
University and residential buildings for faculty members.</p>
<p>Direct material losses are estimated in the tens or even hundreds of
millions of shekels, in addition to the suspension of vital research due
to the absence of foreign scientists and students.</p>
<h2>Material, human, and diplomatic losses</h2>
<p>Chamovitz categorized the impact into three levels: destruction of
infrastructure and equipment, halted research due to researcher
departures, and damaged academic relations, especially with Europe,
where "Israel" now faces potential exclusion from major funding programs
such as Horizon 2020.</p>
<p><em>Haaretz </em>also mentioned that academics from the University of
Haifa, the Technion, and Bar-Ilan University reported disrupted
scientific experiments and the forced departure of graduate students,
either leaving "Israel" or joining the reserve army.</p>
<p>\u201cExperiments have stopped completely, except for critical projects
that have been ongoing for years,\u201d confirmed Professor Yaron Shav-Tal.</p>
<h2>Government legislation deepens academic crisis</h2>
<p>Chamovitz also expressed concern that the Israeli occupation
government itself is undermining academic freedom through a wave of
legislation that limits university autonomy and reduces funding.</p>
<p>He emphasized that universities have always been integral to the
Israeli project, warning that \u201charming them is a blow to both the
security and scientific establishments.\u201d</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/3-345-injured--thousands-displaced-in--israel--after-war-on">3,345 injured, thousands displaced in 'Israel' after war on Iran</a><br></strong></p></div></div></div>
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