The hidden boycott: experiences of Israeli academics during the Israel-Hamas war

This article explores the boycott and discrimination faced by Israeli academics from the international academic community during the 2023–24 Israel-Hamas war. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 participants from diverse disciplines and institutions, five key themes emerged: 1) Overt and covert discrimination; 2) challenges in international collaborations; 3) ethical and professional dilemmas; 4) long-term personal and career implications; and 5) implications for academic discourse and collaborations. The findings underscore this hidden boycott’s significant personal and professional impact on Israeli researchers, highlighting an urgent need to support academic freedom and promote inclusivity amid conflicts. By shedding light on Israeli academics’ personal narratives and the subtle forms of discrimination encountered, this study provides insight into the unique challenges faced by Israeli researchers during this conflict. It serves as a call for collective action to safeguard academic freedom and foster an inclusive, collaborative environment upholding the core values of academia and the pursuit of knowledge in the face of targeted boycotts.