By Professor Alon Chen, neuroscientist and president of the Weizmann Institute of Science – published in Nature, Vol 643, p306, 10 July 2025

A little before 3 a.m. on 15 June, two Iranian missiles hit the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. We consider this a direct targeting of Israeli science and the global enterprise of science that benefits humanity.

Although, thankfully, there were no human casualties on campus, more than 50 Weizmann research laboratories, led by world-class scientists doing cutting-edge science, were destroyed either by direct hits or shock waves. The strikes came close to the homes of many scientists and students who live on campus.

News changes quickly in this part of the world, but as I write these words, I can express gratitude for the ceasefire and hope that it is adhered to.

Let me be clear: our institute shares values with many Iranians, including those Iranian scientists living outside Iran with whom we collaborate on live-saving and life-sustaining research. I look forward to the day when Israeli scientists can freely collaborate with scientists in Iran and do good for the region and for humanity. I wish the same for scientists in Gaza and throughout the Middle East.

This blow comes after 20 months of war in Gaza and southern Lebanon, following the attacks of 7 October 2023 on Israel by Hamas. We continue to grieve the loss of life on both sides. We remain deeply distressed by the ongoing war in Gaza, the hostage crisis and the Palestinian humanitarian crisis.

Over the course of history and the many wars in our region, science has endured. We at Weizmann are facing challenges head-on and continuing in our mission as we always have: by advancing science that protects and sustains life, and doing so through international collaboration with colleagues regardless of their identity or nationality.

The value of science

Science can take on issues that know no geographical borders. At Weizmann alone, life scientists’ discoveries have led to medications for cancer, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases, as well as diagnostic methods such as amniocentesis: a prenatal test to check for genetic or chromosomal conditions in a fetus. Our microbiologists are engaged in solving the urgent problem of antibiotic resistance. And our plant scientists have found ways to engineer crops for improved nutrition and resilience to pests. Other breakthroughs are happening at other Israeli institutions every day, with positive effects worldwide.

Despite Israel’s small geographical size and population, the nation has achieved great success in science and technology as a result of its winning combination of academic freedom, curiosity and scientific literacy.

Even as Weizmann recovers from the most difficult moment in its history, I feel strongly that we can be on the starting line of a new era for the region — one in which borders open up and Weizmann and other Israeli institutions can engage with colleagues throughout the Middle East. Our desire is to establish more partnerships with more countries in Middle East and Gulf states, as we did in 2020, when we established a formal collaboration with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Looking forward

On campus, recovery efforts have begun. Our biggest challenge in the months ahead will be orchestrating the shared use of resources and ensuring that all labs get the research services they need.

As a neuroscientist whose research focuses on the neurobiological underpinnings of stress and stress resilience, I know what stressors do to the human brain. The initial emotions of our scientists were a mix of shock, sadness, frustration and demoralization. That has quickly been replaced by motivation and hope, on the basis of their determination to get back to their work.

Our resilience is bolstered by the letters of solidarity and friendship that we are receiving from colleagues around the world, including offers to temporarily house our research activities until we are back on our feet. This outpouring is encouraging evidence of the positive effects that the global scientific endeavour has.

Our graduate school remains in close contact with its international students and postdoctoral researchers who have left Israel, doing everything possible to help them to maintain research and educational continuity until they return.

If I could point to one predictor of our future success, it would be our ongoing ability to attract and recruit talent, and I don’t see that wavering. On the contrary, I think that many scientists will continue to see Weizmann, and eventually the region, as a great place for science, dedicated to saving, sustaining and improving life.

I hope and trust that our colleagues around the world who share our values will, together with us, continue to see science as a path towards progress, partnership and peace.

You can help rebuild Weizmann by donating to the the Emergency Fund – details HERE