Boycotting Israel: A Dangerous Attack on Knowledge

The Dangerous Trend of Academic Boycotts Against Israel.

For years, people have complained about the declining level of education—not just in the Netherlands but across the world. Many factors contribute to this, but one that is often overlooked is the influence of artificial intelligence. AI tools like ChatGPT make it incredibly easy to get information at the click of a button, yet they come with a hidden danger: bias.

AI collects its data from the internet, which means it reflects the voices of the loudest activists rather than neutral facts. Worse still, AI can be subtly programmed to push specific political narratives. For example, ask ChatGPT about Israel, and it will likely mention “Palestine” almost every time, as if it were a historically recognized country rather than a regional term that once referred to Judea and Samaria. Our generation knows that “Palestine” was never an independent state, yet students today seem unaware of this fact.

The Impact on Universities

Since October 7th, antisemitism in universities has skyrocketed, with student protests becoming increasingly hostile toward Israel. One of the most alarming developments is the call for academic boycotts of Israel—a nation that has contributed immensely to global technology, medicine, and innovation.

Yes, you read that right. Students are pushing to boycott a country that has led the way in fields like high-tech, agriculture, and water management. The sheer ignorance of this movement is staggering.

Israeli Innovations That Have Changed the World

Israel has been a hub for groundbreaking innovations across multiple industries. Here are just a few:

Technology & Computing

• USB Flash Drive – Developed by M-Systems (Dov Moran)
• Firewall Technology – Check Point Software pioneered cybersecurity solutions
• Waze – GPS navigation app later acquired by Google
• Viber – Popular VoIP and messaging app
• MobileEye – Advanced driver-assistance system, later acquired by Intel

Medicine & Healthcare

• PillCam – A swallowable camera for gastrointestinal diagnosis
• ReWalk – Robotic exoskeleton for paraplegics
• Copaxone – A leading multiple sclerosis treatment
• Doxil – A drug for treating cancer
• SniffPhone – A device that detects diseases through breath analysis

Agriculture & Water Technology

• Drip Irrigation – Invented by Netafim to improve water efficiency
• Water Desalination & Recycling – Israel leads in advanced desalination techniques
• Cherry Tomatoes (Modern Hybridization) – Developed for longer shelf life

Defense & Security

• Iron Dome – A missile defense system that intercepts rockets
• Tavor Assault Rifle – Advanced military firearm used worldwide
• Uzi Submachine Gun – Iconic firearm used by military and law enforcement
• Merkava Tank – One of the most advanced battle tanks

Miscellaneous

• Epilator (Hair Removal Device) – First commercialized by the Israeli company Epilady
• Solar Windows – Glass panels that generate electricity from sunlight
• OrCam – AI-powered wearable device for the visually impaired

Boycotting Intelligence?

None of these innovations would have been possible without Israel. A country that has made such significant contributions to science and technology is now being boycotted by university students who fail to recognize their own hypocrisy. These same students benefit from Israeli technology daily, whether it’s in their phones, their healthcare, or even the security measures protecting their cities.

It seems that as Israeli scientists and engineers continue to push the boundaries of innovation, much of the rest of the world is becoming intellectually stagnant—easily manipulated by propaganda and unable to think critically. The idea of an academic boycott against one of the most innovative nations on Earth is not just ignorant—it’s dangerous.

Knowledge should never be boycotted. Universities should be places of open debate and critical thinking, not blind ideological activism. If we continue down this path, we may as well close our universities altogether—because what good is an institution of higher learning when its students refuse to think?