British and Israeli scientists sign joint research agreement

The Royal Society has signed an agreement with the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities (IASH) to further collaborative research. 

The agreement was made possible by a donation by The Kohn Foundation.

The collaboration covers a five-year exchange scheme, including five fellowships, named the Royal Society Kohn International Fellowships. It will also contain a series of bilateral symposia and workshops.

The agreement was signed at the Royal Society by its president Sir Paul Nurse, and Professor Ruth Arnon, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Professor Ruth Arnon said called the scheme a “celebration of the international nature of scientific activity”, claiming that it was recognition that ‘Britain and Israel share scientific excellence’.

She continued: “The agreement serves also as a clear statement in support of the unfettered exchange of ideas.”

Sir Paul Nurse also praised the collaboration as being “essential to progress in science.” He said: “The UK is a world leader in science” and the “collaboration not only increases our scientific knowledge but improves our culture and economy too.”

Both Arnon and Nurse praised the The Kohn Foundation for supporting the collaboration. 

Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub, said: “We’re delighted to see these two great institutions building on the existing scientific cooperation between the two countries, and in fact taking it to a new level”.