Announcement by the Hebrew University:

 

Due to the ongoing state of war and the high proportion of students and faculty serving as reserve recruits, the commencement of the 2024 academic year will be delayed. All research universities will begin the semester in conjunction with the release of reserve recruits, but no earlier than December 3, 2023. A two-week advance notice will be provided prior to the resumption of regular activities and academic programs, marking the official start of the semester.

 

Since the onset of the conflict, tens of thousands of students and faculty members have been mobilized, constituting an estimated 30% of the total student population at universities. The Committee of Heads of Research Universities is committed to supporting these recruits, along with all residents of the State of Israel, through various local and national initiatives. With the explicit objective of minimizing the impact on the student community—which includes reservists, their spouses, residents of conflict zones who have been evacuated, and families who have lost or had loved ones kidnapped or injured—we announce the postponement of the 2024 academic year.

 

The winter semester will begin in alignment with the process of releasing reserve recruits, but will not commence before December 3, 2023. A two-week advance notice will be provided to facilitate the transition back to regular routines and academic courses, at which point studies will resume.
It is our intention to ensure that the academic year proceeds in full, comprising two complete semesters. Should the need arise, the academic calendar may be extended into the summer months. Decisions regarding the specific structure of the academic year will be determined by individual universities.