Philanthropist Jeremy Coller warns he could review investment with Tel aviv uni

British businessman and philanthropist Jeremy Coller had threatened to review his investments to Tel Aviv University if the Benjamin Netanyahu government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system went through.

In a letter sent “with a heavy heart” to Prof. Ariel Porat, president of Tel Aviv University, Coller wrote that he wanted “to discuss the current situation in Israel and the impact it may have on my future commitments to Tel Aviv University.”

The Jerusalem Post reported that in 2016, Coller made the most significant gift to TAU for £40 million to fund research and development, study programs and teaching at the Coller School of Management.

He also sponsors TAU’s Coller Start-Up Competition and the Coller-Menmon Animal Rights and Welfare program for animal law.

The letter, sent last Friday,  said:“I’ve always felt a deep connection to the State of Israel and have made a personal commitment to invest in the future of the country, not only through the endowment of the Coller School of Management & Venture at TAU but also through my personal investments in a number of Israeli food technology businesses that leverage Israel’s rich intellectual capital and entrepreneurial spirit.

“I’m saddened that despite the widespread protests, the government is pursuing this restructuring of the legal system while ignoring the impact of undermining democracy and the inevitable economic damage to the country.

“Such a significant change to Israel’s legal system, at the very least, demands a considered, thoughtful consultation and engagement across society with the business, education and health sectors and other stakeholders,” he wrote.

Coller said he was considering resigning as deputy chair of the TAU board of governors and reviewing his investments in the country, but he hoped he could refrain from taking such actions.

“I’m hopeful that it is not too late for the government to recognise that it must take a more considered and thoughtful approach, and I will be watching this issue with deep interest,” he wrote.