The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is concerned about Israel's security in view of the ongoing armed conflict. DAAD fears a possible expansion of the conflict and its devastating consequences for the entire region.

"The DAAD stands firmly by Israel, whose citizens can no longer feel safe in their own state since Hamas and Hezbollah began terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. We are very concerned about a further escalation in the region, which could lead to even more civilian casualties on all sides and destroy the educational opportunities and future prospects of many young people," said DAAD President Professor Dr Joybrato Mukherjee.

The terror of Hamas and Hezbollah as well as the Israeli measures of self- defence in the Gaza Strip are also urgent topics at German universities. The DAAD will therefore discuss the current developments in Israel and the region, their impact on academic cooperation and the situation at universities in Germany with its member universities on Thursday (26 October). In this context, the DAAD President emphasised: "For the DAAD, as the largest intermediary organisation in the Federal Republic of Germany's foreign cultural relations, educational and academic policy, the special relationship with Israel and our historical responsibility for Israel's security will continue to guide our actions in the future. In addition, DAAD will continue to promote peaceful academic exchange with other countries in the region.

Shortly before the attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah, the DAAD supported about 80 scholarship holders in Israel. Currently, around 30 people are still in the country, including scholarship holders from the Theological Studies Year in Jerusalem and participants in an internship programme. Last year, the DAAD supported a total of around 1,000 people in academic exchanges to and from Israel.