Portuguese Authorities Launch Probe into Antisemitism and Threats at Coimbra University

The Portuguese Attorney General has been urged to open a criminal investigation following complaints by Bar Harel, a doctoral student with Israeli, American, and Portuguese citizenship, about antisemitic posters, Hezbollah flags, and death threats at the University of Coimbra. The case, widely covered in Portuguese media, involves allegations of antisemitic and hateful graffiti and materials displayed across several faculties, including Science and Technology, Law, Medicine, and Chemistry, between July 2024 and May 2026. These included slogans such as "Zionists should carry proof they are human" and "Death to the IDF," alongside images supporting Hamas and glorifying Yahya Sinwar, a leader of Hamas, which the complaint describes as public praise of a terrorist organization.

Harel reported receiving death threats, including one stating "Your family deserves a second Holocaust," and alleged physical assault after carrying a small Israeli flag on his backpack. Due to these incidents, he abandoned his PhD studies in computer engineering. The Portuguese Ministry of Higher Education formally requested the Attorney General to investigate possible offenses including discrimination, incitement to hatred and violence, threats, and bodily harm. This request followed a prior finding by the Portuguese Ombudsman in March 2026 that the university had failed to adequately address Harel's complaints, showing "substantial passivity" and even threatening legal action against him for exposing the issue.

The University of Coimbra responded that it provided Harel with support, including psychological assistance, but claimed the complaints lacked specific details such as identities, locations, or timeframes, making verification difficult. The university also denied allegations that Harel demanded three million euros to drop legal proceedings. The Israeli Embassy in Lisbon welcomed the decision to investigate and called for further inquiries into other reported cases. Harel expressed satisfaction with the investigation, emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism in educational institutions and ensuring equal enforcement of the law, noting support from international Jewish legal organizations.