Harvard University—long regarded by some as distant, even dismissive, toward Israel, particularly with a myriad of pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place on campus—has taken a bold and affirming step: forging a new academic partnership and student exchange program with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Beginning in the spring of 2026, Harvard students will have the opportunity to study in Israel year-round, earning credit toward their degrees through immersive, hands-on coursework. The offerings range from archaeological excavations and marine science along the Mediterranean coast to sustainable agriculture, resource preservation, and the urgent challenge of desertification. All courses will be taught in English, with Harvard and Israeli students learning side by side in a uniquely intercultural setting.
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Professor Michal Bar-Asher Siegal, vice president for Global Engagement at Ben-Gurion University, underscored the institution’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and real-world impact. “To train the next generation of researchers,” she said, “we must build bridges—collaborations with international institutions that foster bold thinking and transformative discovery.”
Harvard’s Dean, Professor David Deming, echoed that vision: “This partnership allows our students not only to learn from world-class Israeli scholars, but to experience the depth of Israel’s culture and history firsthand. These are the relationships—and the understandings—that shape lives and careers.”
Professor Mark Elliott, who oversees international engagement at Harvard, placed the announcement within a broader context: “This is the latest chapter in Harvard’s long and meaningful history of collaboration with Israeli academia. I’m confident it will enrich our students and expand academic cooperation across the region.”