As some United States universities are in the spotlight for allowing overtly antisemitic behavior on campus and many international academics are shunning their Israeli counterparts, one German institution is showing up for Israel.

The Max Planck Society chose not to cancel a planned visit to Israel in late November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Minerva Foundation‘s fellowship program, which has enabled the exchange between Germany and Israel of more than 2,000 young researchers.

According to Max Planck Society president Prof. Patrick Cramer, it was not enough to merely send messages of support after war broke out between Israel and Hamas following the terror group’s savage October 7 assault on southern Israel.

“We wanted [to come in person] to tell our colleagues that they are not alone. The main message is that we see their suffering and we want to tell them that,” Cramer said.

Cramer and four of his colleagues from the Max Planck Society and its subsidiary Minerva Foundation met for dinner in Jerusalem on November 28 with more than 40 presidents and vice presidents of Israeli universities, research institutes and scientific associations.

In speeches and informal conversations, the Israelis expressed their sincere appreciation for the solidarity shown by the Munich-headquartered society, Germany’s leading non-university research organization comprised of 85 different institutes.

“I’ve received support from German officials and scientists, but your being here is different. You are the first [foreign] research institution or organization to have come to Israel since October 7,” said Bar-Ilan President Prof. Arie Zaban in a speech addressed to the German scientists.

“You are exhibiting a clear morality and you are standing with us. Please help us continue our science here in Israel in terms of collaborations, exchanges, grants, and securing EU funding,” he said.

Source - Times of Israel/X - Image - Yoni Kelberman/MPG