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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Portuguese gov't demands investigation for antisemitic threats against Israeli doctoral student

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Portugal's attorney general is investigating alleged antisemitism and threats against an Israeli doctoral student at the University of Coimbra.
  • The student reported facing hostile posters, Hezbollah flags, death threats, and physical assault following the October 7, 2023 events.
  • The university has been criticized for its response, with the case escalating to the highest levels of the Portuguese government.

Portugal's highest legal authority is now scrutinizing alleged antisemitic threats and harassment targeting an Israeli doctoral student at the University of Coimbra. The Attorney General's office has been tasked with launching a criminal investigation into potential discrimination, incitement to hatred, and glorification of terrorist organizations.

The situation started after October 7, less than a week after the war began; we were already accused of genocide in city protests and in protests against us that happened inside university facilities. Around May, 2024, the protests increased, and stickers containing hateful statements appeared throughout the city.

— Bar HarelHarel described the timeline and nature of the harassment he experienced.

The case centers on Bar Harel, a computer engineering doctoral student who claims he was subjected to a campaign of hostility, including antisemitic posters, Hezbollah flags, death threats, and even physical assault. Harel, who has since abandoned his studies, stated that the harassment intensified after October 7, 2023, with protests and hateful stickers appearing both on and off campus.

Harel documented instances of antisemitic graffiti, swastikas, and posters displaying slogans like "Death to the IDF" and "Your family deserves a second Holocaust." He also reported being doxxed online and labeled a "war criminal." The University of Coimbra initially claimed such posters were "not found on campus," a stance that drew criticism.

Your family deserves a second Holocaust

— Unknown assailantHarel reported this direct death threat as part of the harassment campaign.

The investigation follows a March 2026 ruling by Portugal's ombudsman, which found the University of Coimbra guilty of "substantial passivity" in addressing Harel's complaints. The escalating situation has prompted intervention from the Portuguese prime minister's office, which referred the case to the Higher Education Ministry and subsequently to the Attorney General.

After I complained and received inadequate responses, I started documenting everything and published research; that’s when everything went south.

— Bar HarelHarel explained how his attempts to seek help led to an escalation of the attacks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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