Early Sunday, an Iranian missile attacked the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, which has long been regarded as the pinnacle of Israeli scientific success. While there were no casualties, the attack inflicted extensive damage to the institution, erasing years of research and sending shockwaves throughout the scientific community and the general Israeli population.
The missile struck two buildings directly: one that houses advanced life sciences facilities and another that is still under construction and will be used for chemical research. The collision was so violent that dozens of other buildings on campus suffered varied degrees of damage, including shattered windows, twisted metal, and debris spread throughout. According to internal estimates, about 90% of the institute’s facilities were damaged in some fashion, and 44 of its 270 research groups would need to find new homes. The financial toll is tremendous, with repair expenses estimated at $500 million.
The catastrophe was more than just physical; it wiped out decades of vital scientific knowledge. At least 45 laboratories were destroyed or made inoperable, including those studying heart biology, neurodevelopmental problems, cancer, tissue production, and developmental biology. Many scientists lost their whole decades’ worth of work—samples, genetically modified organisms, sophisticated equipment, and experimental data—in an instant. Professor Oren Schuldiner, whose laboratory was destroyed, described the loss as complete: “No trace. There’s nothing to save. Many people spent their lives working on this.
The Weizmann Institute, founded in 1934 and named after Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, is world-renowned for its contributions to natural and precise sciences. It has Nobel and Turing laureates among its professors and alumni and has played an important role in Israel’s scientific and technical growth. The bombing is largely regarded as a symbolic strike, aimed at not only infrastructure but also the heart of Israeli scientific innovation.
Iran’s strike is viewed as direct reprisal for Israel’s long-running onslaught against Iranian nuclear scientists and infrastructure. Iran delivered a clear message when it targeted the Weizmann Institute: Israeli scientific talent is now a valid target in the developing conflict. The incident has gravely concerned the Israeli scientific community, which now faces the arduous task of reconstructing both its facilities and its sense of security.
The damage has also hampered various international scientific collaborations. The Weizmann Institute has been a key contributor to EU-funded research, with up to 15 European Research Council projects impacted by the devastation. The future of these cooperation is questionable, particularly if political repercussions results in greater isolation or funding suspensions.
The Iranian missile strike on the Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the most devastating strikes to Israel’s scientific infrastructure in history. While no lives were lost, the damage of laboratories, loss of research, and psychological impact on the scientific community are significant setbacks. Rebuilding will take years, massive resources, and fresh international cooperation as the institute and its researchers work to recover from this unparalleled onslaught.
