Portuguese prosecutors are being urged to open a criminal investigation after an Israeli doctoral student alleged he was subjected to a sustained campaign of antisemitic harassment, death threats, and physical assault at the University of Coimbra. The move follows a finding by Portugal’s ombudsman that the university failed to adequately respond to the complaints and displayed significant inaction.
The case centers on Bar Harel, an Israeli-American-Portuguese doctoral student, who filed complaints alleging that he was targeted by severe antisemitic incitement while studying at the university. Portugal’s Ministry of Higher Education referred the matter to the country’s attorney general after receiving a request from the Prime Minister’s Office, following the ombudsman’s conclusion that the university mishandled the case.
According to Harel’s complaint, antisemitic stickers, graffiti, and posters appeared across the university campus between July 2024 and May 2026. Among the messages displayed were “Zionists should carry a certificate proving they are human,” “Zionists are worse than the Nazis,” and “We are all Yahya Sinwar.” The displays were accompanied by Hezbollah flags and public expressions of support for Hamas.
Harel said he became the target of repeated personal threats, including graffiti declaring, “Your family deserves a second Holocaust.” He also alleged that he was physically assaulted after attaching a small Israeli flag to his backpack. As a result of the incidents, he ultimately abandoned his doctoral studies in computer engineering.
According to a report by Ynet, Portugal’s Ministry of Higher Education has asked prosecutors to investigate possible offenses including discrimination, incitement to hatred and violence, public glorification of a terrorist organization, criminal threats, and assault.
Harel said the decision to pursue a criminal investigation followed a lengthy campaign in which he sought assistance from the European Parliament and received support from the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. Israel’s Embassy in Lisbon welcomed the authorities’ decision and called for additional reported incidents to be investigated as well.
The University of Coimbra, however, disputed allegations that it ignored the student’s complaints. University officials said they offered Harel counseling and psychological support immediately after he reported the incidents.
The administration also argued that his complaints lacked sufficient detail to allow investigators to identify those responsible or independently verify the allegations, adding that the posters described in the complaint could not be located on campus.
In addition, the university said it informed authorities that Harel had allegedly demanded €3 million in exchange for refraining from pursuing legal action against the institution, a demand the university said it immediately rejected.
