University Heads Chairman Accuses Education Minister of Political Appointments

Daniel Chamovitz, the outgoing Chairman of the Committee of University Heads and President of Ben-Gurion University, has revealed significant clashes with Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Chamovitz described a particularly jarring phone call from Kisch shortly after the October 7th Hamas attack, during which the minister questioned Chamovitz's support for a letter opposing Kisch's initiative to expel students supporting terrorism. Chamovitz stated he was in the midst of mourning a student lost in the attack when Kisch called, expressing disbelief that the minister was focused on the letter rather than the university's state.

The letter in question, signed by university presidents, opposed Kisch's attempt to mandate the expulsion of students who support terrorism, a move the universities had already undertaken independently. The university leaders wrote that they had lost faith in Kisch while they were mourning their dead and tending to the families of the fallen.

Chamovitz also disclosed that his initial interactions with Kisch concerned appointments to the Council for Higher Education (CHE). According to Chamovitz, Kisch expressed a desire to make political appointments, which Chamovitz argued would compromise the integrity of the academic system. "When you start making loyalty-based appointments, you begin to endanger the system," Chamovitz stated, emphasizing that a politician cannot determine who is a suitable scientist for the CHE.

Chamovitz highlighted critical issues facing Israeli academia, including a decline in per-student funding compared to other OECD countries since 2000, leading to a significant "brain drain." He noted that researchers with established positions and grants are choosing to leave Israel for opportunities abroad, a trend that has escalated in recent years.

He also raised concerns about potential government attempts to limit academic freedom, referencing proposed legislation supported by Kisch that aimed to restrict universities. Chamovitz contrasted this with the reality that politicians who publicly criticize academia often privately contact him seeking favors for their children's university admissions.

Regarding promised financial aid for reservist students, Chamovitz stated that tens of millions of shekels promised for reservists in academic years 2020-2021 and an additional agreement for 80 million shekels have not yet been received. The Ministry of Defense responded that it has allocated 10 million shekels for STEM students serving in reserves for the 2025-2026 academic year and is awaiting necessary documentation to disburse the funds.

In response, Minister Kisch called Chamovitz's tenure as chairman a failure, accusing him of taking a weak stance against student and lecturer incitement and support for terrorism. Kisch also criticized Chamovitz for continuing to employ a lecturer at Ben-Gurion University who accused IDF soldiers of genocide.