Israeli academics report a troubling increase in harassment and bullying at international forums following Hamas' massacre against Israel on October 7.
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In one instance, a world expert on emergency interventions was barred from a Melbourne, Australia, conference due to pro-Palestinian threats, while in another case, a lecturer was ousted from the stage at a Nevada conference.
Dr. Moshe Farhi from Tel-Hai Academic College, an expert in emergency interventions and first aid, was invited to an international conference in Australia, where he was invited as a keynote speaker.
However, his appearance was canceled at the last minute as well as his hotel room reservation. The researcher had already arrived in Melbourne and was told that the conference organizers had received threats and could not guarantee the participants' safety.
In a letter sent to Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon and Tel-Hai Academic College President Prof. Eliezer Shalev, Dr. Farhi wrote, "After I arrived in Melbourne, I received a call explaining that the conference organizers received various threats and therefore cannot guarantee the safety of the conference participants. Therefore, they canceled my invitation and immediately took down my lectures from the conference program. Furthermore, to ensure that I do not come, they immediately canceled my hotel room reservation at the Gold Coast."
"Beyond the personal distress, of course, there is a political and diplomatic issue here, and perhaps there is room for intervention by Israeli representatives in this incident," Dr. Farhi added.
Meanwhile, he praised the support he received from the local Jewish community. "Despite the described predicament, I must note with admiration and joy the warm and supportive embrace I received here in Melbourne from representatives of the wonderful Jewish community, whom I had the privilege to meet in the last two days."
Dr. Moshe FarhiPhoto: Tel-Hai Academic CollegeProf. Eliezer Shalev said: "This is a serious and appalling event that harms and endangers the academic status of researchers in the State of Israel. I expect countries around the world, and especially academic institutions worldwide, to understand the significance of the severe events that occurred in Israel on October 7."
"These events left us no choice but to engage in war to defeat Hamas. The State of Israel is fighting for the security of its residents, and the fact that the world does not understand this indicates our failure in explaining, but mainly the rampant antisemitism in the world. The situation is very worrying," he concluded.
In another case, Prof. Asaf Pe'er, a black hole researcher from Bar-Ilan University, was invited to lecture at a conference at Nevada State University in the U.S. Shortly after his lecture began, a group of pro-Palestinian students disrupted him. The university authorities decided to stop Prof. Pe'er's lecture and not address the demonstrators.
Prof. Arie Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University and Chair of the Committee of University Presidents, called Prof. Pe'er to show support and said: "This year presents us with significant challenges. One of them is advocacy in universities worldwide. It seems that some of our colleagues worldwide have lost their moral compass."
"It's disappointing, it's annoying, but we won't be deterred. The academy is based on a commitment to truth, including distinguishing between the good and the bad, and we are here to present the truth, to tell the Israeli story of October 7. It is important to note that alongside harsh statements, we also have quite a bit of support from the global academy," he added.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of testimonies from Israeli lecturers who have been treated with hostility since October 7 around the world when attending international events and lectures.