100 years of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - congratulations and signs of solidarity

The German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the Conference of Science Ministers (WissenschaftsMK) would like to congratulate the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) on its 100th anniversary. On this occasion, the President of the HRK, Walter Rosenthal, and the President of the Conference of Science Ministers, Bettina Martin, Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, send their congratulations to one of Israel's most internationally renowned universities.

"The Hebrew University has been an outstanding center of research and teaching for a century. Jewish intellectual giants of the early 20th century in Europe, including from Germany, namely Albert Einstein, are among the founding fathers and mothers of HUJI. Today it stands in a special way for scientific excellence, international cooperation, social commitment and the freedom of science. These values connect us very closely with the HUJI," explains HRK President Rosenthal.

Minister Bettina Martin emphasizes: "Academic relations between Israel and Germany have grown over many decades and are of particular importance. Especially in challenging times like these, it is clear how important stable partnerships, exchange and mutual support are. The close cooperation between our universities is an expression of lived solidarity and shared responsibility for the past, present and future."

Due to the current situation in Israel, a visit to Israel planned for this week by a delegation led by HRK and WissenschaftsMK on the occasion of HUJI's anniversary celebrations had to be canceled. All the more reason for the HRK and WissenschaftsMK to send a clear signal of support. "The entire Israeli scientific community deserves our special attention and support in these difficult times," emphasized Minister Martin.

"Especially now, it is crucial to maintain scientific dialog and further strengthen it through cooperation," added Rosenthal. "Israeli universities and scientific institutions are important academic and civil society spaces for discourse and, in this way, pillars of a liberal, democratic society in Israel. This requires encouragement and solidarity from all of us."