On June 15, 2025, the Weizmann Institute joined the growing list of civilian institutions caught in the crossfire of the geopolitical conflict gripping the Middle East.
Iranian ballistic missiles struck the Rehovot campus of the world-famous institute, destroying two buildings – one under construction and the other dedicated to life sciences – and damaging dozens more. Fortunately, due to the timing of the attack, there were no casualties. But the attack, part of Iran’s unprecedented direct assault on Israel, sent a message: Even centers of peaceful scientific research are not immune from the threats facing the modern Middle East.
But what is the Weizmann Institute, and why is it so important to Israel?
Situated in the city of Rehovot, the Weizmann Institute of Science stands as one of Israel’s foremost symbols of scientific achievement and national pride.
Founded in 1934, before the establishment of the State of Israel, the institute has evolved into a powerhouse of global research, boasting groundbreaking contributions in physics, medicine, computer science, agriculture, and beyond. Its influence, however, extends far beyond academic prestige; the institute embodies the Zionist vision of building a nation rooted in knowledge and innovation.
Origins
The story of the Weizmann Institute begins with Chaim Weizmann, a brilliant organic chemist, Zionist leader, and later Israel’s first president. Originally established as the Daniel Sieff Research Institute, the center was named in memory of the son of the Sieff family, major benefactors of the Zionist cause.
Weizmann envisioned a world-class scientific center in Palestine, one that would contribute to the Jewish people’s intellectual sovereignty and national development. Following the untimely death of Nobel laureate Fritz Haber, initially tapped to lead the institute, Weizmann took the reins himself.
In 1949, after Weizmann became president of Israel, the institute was renamed in his honor. From those modest beginnings, the Weizmann Institute of Science has grown into a multidisciplinary institution employing 3,800 researchers, postdocs, and students, focusing exclusively on postgraduate education in the natural and exact sciences.
A history of firsts
In 1955, the Weizmann Institute launched WEIZAC, the first electronic computer built in Israel, and one of the earliest in the world. Recognized as a milestone in the history of computing by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, WEIZAC marked the beginning of the institute’s role as a trailblazer in technology.
Later developments included the world’s first biological computer, built by Prof. Ehud Shapiro in 2004, and Israel’s first quantum computer, WeizQC, launched in 2022.
Science turned into impact
Unlike many academic institutions, the Weizmann Institute has long emphasized the commercialization of its research. In 1959, it founded the Yeda Research and Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary that manages the intellectual property and patents arising from the institute’s laboratories. The result has been remarkable: By 2013, Weizmann research had generated over $100 million in annual royalties, and products based on its science have since exceeded $23 billion in global sales.
Notably, Weizmann Institute discoveries led to the development of Copaxone, Rebif, and Erbitux, drugs now used globally to treat multiple sclerosis and cancer.
In agriculture, scientists pioneered disease-resistant cucumbers, high-yield wheat, and beta-carotene-producing algae, turning basic biological research into solutions for global food and health security.
The institute has always seen itself as a contributor to Israel’s social and scientific infrastructure. From youth science camps and the Clore Garden of Science, the world’s first fully interactive outdoor science museum, to mentorship programs for immigrants from the former Soviet Union, the Weizmann Institute has helped build not only the scientific community but also the fabric of Israeli society.
Its faculty and alumni are deeply embedded in the nation’s public life, with many serving in leading roles in defense, policy, and academia. The institute’s proximity to the Kiryat Weizmann Science Park has further catalyzed innovation through technology incubators and start-ups, more than 120 of which were founded based on Weizmann technologies.
The Weizmann Institute’s scientific excellence is recognized worldwide. It was ranked second globally for research quality by the Nature Index in 2019 and has consistently placed in the top 25 in categories such as most cited publications and patents awarded.
String theory and dark matter
In theoretical physics, Weizmann researchers contributed to foundational work that led to string theory. In astrophysics, MOND (modified Newtonian dynamics), developed by Prof. Mordehai Milgrom, emerged as the most robust alternative to dark matter theories.
The symbol of the Weizmann Institute is the multi-branched Ficus tree – an apt metaphor for an institution whose roots run deep, whose branches stretch across disciplines, and whose fruits have nurtured medicine, technology, and culture.