With Israel at war and a state of emergency declared, every aspect of civil life in the country has been dramatically disrupted.
Hostilities erupted on the very day that hundreds of friends from around the world had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hebrew University. Regrettably, in accordance with directives from Israel’s Home-Front Command, the University had no choice but to cancel all events—two years of meticulous planning undone in an instant.
From that day onwards, our focus shifted to supporting friends from over 20 countries, whether they were already in their Jerusalem hotels or elsewhere. Our ongoing efforts have included assisting with exit plans from Israel, most often via the border with Jordan, onwards to Amman, and from there arranging flights to various European destinations.
British Friends continues to do its utmost, around the clock, to ensure that everyone in our large delegation who wishes to leave Israel can do so safely and securely.
These are challenging times. Offices, schools, and institutes of research and education are closed. The Hebrew University community—students, faculty, researchers, administrators, and management—are each facing their own personal challenges, balancing professional duty, family, and their own fear.
The core mission of the British Friends remains steadfast: to support academic and research excellence at Israel’s foremost institution of higher learning. Albert Einstein, one of the University’s founders, envisioned “a pluralistic institution, where science and knowledge are developed for the benefit of humankind, in an atmosphere free of discrimination and prejudice.”
In these difficult days, this vision is more relevant than ever. Thank you for your continued support. The Hebrew University will endure and continue to shine as a beacon of light within Israel and beyond.
Click here to read the Hebrew University’s message
