Hebrew University Admits Institutional Responsibility in Harassment Case of Deceased Doctoral Student

The Hebrew University has acknowledged institutional responsibility for the harm suffered by a doctoral student from her supervisor, Professor Karim Adiprasito, who was convicted of sexual harassment. In an unusual letter to the university community, university President Prof. Tamir Shper, Rector Prof. Oron Shagrir, and CEO Naama Kaufman-Pess stated that the administration recognizes its responsibility that "such severe harm occurred within the university community" and views the case as an opportunity for learning and drawing lessons. The letter was sent days after the harassment case was exposed. The doctoral student was found dead in her home under unclear circumstances. Adiprasito was ordered to compensate her estate with the equivalent of only two months' salary.

The affair began in 2018 when the student arrived in Israel for a research internship. According to the ruling, their professional relationship changed in late 2020 when Adiprasito sent her an email criticizing her work and undermining her confidence, then offered assistance, spoke with her daily, and showered her with compliments. The harassment largely occurred during joint trips to conferences abroad. At a conference in Paris in February 2021, he touched her and offered massages. On another trip that summer, she was promised a separate room, but only one bed was available in the apartment. Adiprasito admitted that they shared a bed approximately 60 times.

The disciplinary tribunal rejected Adiprasito's defense that the student was an "academic failure" and that his behavior was intended to advance her research. It determined she was emotionally, financially, and academically dependent on him and was "between a rock and a hard place." The appeals court upheld the conviction and sentence but noted the punishment was lenient given the severity of the acts, explaining that no appeal was filed regarding the severity of the penalty.

The university administration stated that upon receiving the complaint, it recommended the student contact the police, but she refused. When the disciplinary proceedings began, the university reported the case to the Attorney General's representative, and the police also contacted the student, but she chose not to file a complaint and requested the matter remain with the university. The administration addressed criticism regarding the lengthy proceedings, which friends of the deceased claimed dragged on for many months. They stated the process took nearly three years from the complaint to the final appeal decision, partly due to numerous requests and claims filed by Adiprasito. They also noted that the complainant received close personal support throughout the process.

Adiprasito has not been employed by the university since April 2024, rendering most disciplinary measures, intended for current faculty, irrelevant. The administration stated that completing the process still allowed for a public and binding decision. They emphasized their insistence on publishing the verdict and Adiprasito's name, and that his attempts to prevent publication in Israel were rejected. The university believes publication is particularly important given the deceased's wish that the acts not remain secret. A committee established in response to the case, examining how to shorten and streamline disciplinary procedures for serious complaints, is expected to present its findings soon.