Prof Tamir Sheafer, President Sunday, March 1, 2026
Dear Hebrew University Community & Friends,
As you all are aware, early Saturday morning, sirens sounded across Israel as the United
States and Israel entered into war with Iran. There were many more sirens to come and
rocket barrages as Iran retaliated.
The Israeli Home Front Command declared a state of high alert effectively prohibiting
gatherings, moving schools to online learning, and closing all nonessential places of work
until at least Monday at 8pm. Most Israelis spent hours on Saturday in and out of bomb
shelters and other protected spaces, and this continued through the night and into Sunday
morning. Tragically, there have already been civilian casualties.
The Hebrew University is likewise in emergency mode. Students and staff alike have been
told not to come to the campuses, and all exams, assignments, and coursework scheduled
for or due this week have been cancelled. Administrative staff have been asked to work
from home when possible. Our psychological services hotline is available for those who
need it.
Once again, many of our students and staff have been called up for reserve duty. We hope
for their safe return. Upon our students’ return to their studies, we will provide them
support to make their re-entry into university life as seamless as possible.
I would like to thank so many of you who have reached out to express your concern for
us. We appreciate your support and it is in these times that we feel your friendship and
solidarity more than ever.
We are carefully monitoring the situation and the directives of the Home Front Command
and will act accordingly. We will continue to update our community – both those of you
abroad and those of you here in Israel – as the situation develops.
The irony of this war taking place just before the Purim holiday has escaped no one. We
can only hope for a better and safer shared future for the people of Israel, of Iran, and of
the Middle East.
Yours,
Tamir