May 6, 2025 – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem marks a significant moment as two of its Faculty of Law members—Prof. Yuval Shany and Edut 710 with Dr. Renana Keydar—are recognized with the 2025 Landau Prize for Sciences and Arts, one of Israel’s most prestigious national awards. This dual acknowledgment reflects their profound contributions to legal scholarship, public responsibility, and civic resilience in times of crisis.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates Prof. Yuval Shany of the Faculty of Law on receiving the 2025 Landau Prize for Sciences and Arts—one of Israel’s most prestigious academic honors. The award recognizes Prof. Shany’s outstanding scholarship and his significant influence on the development of international law.

According to the Prize Committee’s decision, “Prof. Shany is one of the most important international legal scholars of our time, both in Israel and abroad. He is a leading researcher in the fields of international law, human rights law, the laws of war, criminal law, cyber law, and international tribunals. He has published dozens of articles and books on these subjects, and his exceptional excellence has earned him impressive and competitive research grants. Between 2013 and 2020, he served on the UN Human Rights Committee, including as its Chair, during which he led the drafting of documents such as General Comment No. 36 on the right to life. Prof. Shany is also an outstanding lecturer who has trained generations of students in international law. Since the outbreak of the war, he has continued to publish, lecture, and give interviews, presenting the legal complexities of the current situation. He is at the height of his professional journey, and there is no doubt that he will continue to influence the development of international law in Israel and around the world. There is no more deserving recipient of a prize that honors such professional achievements.”

A gifted and committed teacher, Prof. Shany has mentored generations of students, many of whom now hold leadership positions in law, diplomacy, and academia. Since the outbreak of the current conflict, he has remained an active voice in public discourse, offering legal insight into the complex and evolving landscape of international law as it relates to Israel.

“Prof. Yuval Shany embodies the academic excellence and public responsibility at the heart of the Hebrew University’s mission,” said Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University. “His pioneering work in international law and human rights has shaped legal thinking in Israel and across the world. We are proud to see one of our most distinguished scholars recognized with the Landau Prize—an honor he richly deserves.”

In addition to his academic role at the Hebrew University, Prof. Shany is a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, where he works on issues relating to democratic governance, the rule of law, and national security.

As a scholar, educator, and public intellectual, Prof. Shany continues to shape the legal landscape in Israel and worldwide, ensuring that international law remains responsive, relevant, and principled in the face of today’s greatest challenges. The Hebrew University is proud to support and celebrate his enduring contributions.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates the civic initiative Edut 710 on receiving the 2025 Landau Prize for Sciences and Arts, one of Israel’s most prestigious honors. Dr. Renana Keydar of the Faculties of Law and Humanities is one of the leading figures behind Edut 710, which was recognized for its outstanding contribution as a groundbreaking civic initiative launched in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

According to the Prize Committee’s decision, “The committee selected Edut 710 from among 80 proposals for its exceptional civic impact. They praised the project as a powerful example of collective volunteerism, showcasing Israel’s diverse communities uniting in crisis.

Launched by a group of filmmakers immediately after the October 7 attacks, Edut 710 has gathered over 1,000 survivor and evacuee testimonies. These are accessible via an online platform used by schools, organizations, the media, and the public worldwide for education and remembrance.

The committee highlighted the initiative’s rigorous methodology—developed in collaboration with academic and professional experts—to ensure reliable, respectful documentation. With over 400 volunteers, the project fills a critical gap in the global narrative and provides a lasting archive for researchers, educators, advocates, and future generations. They expressed hope that the prize funds would support the ongoing work of documenting affected communities and assisting in their long-term recovery.

A scholar of legal theory and human rights, Dr. Keydar played a central role in shaping the ethical and methodological foundations of the project. Her expertise helped guide the development of a sensitive, trauma-informed interview protocol that ensured every voice was heard with care and respect. Keydar‘s lab at the Center for Digital Humanities at the Hebrew University is currently working on the development of an innovative AI-driven digital archive for the testimonies of Edut 710.

“The Hebrew University is deeply proud of Edut 710 and of Dr. Renana Keydar’s leadership in this vital initiative,” said Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “This project represents the very best of our academic and civic values—rigor, compassion, and a commitment to truth. In preserving testimony and giving voice to survivors, Edut 710 ensures that the memory of October 7 is not only documented but honored with dignity and clarity for generations to come.”

AFHU joins the Hebrew University in extending its heartfelt congratulations to the Edut 710 team and to Dr. Keydar for their extraordinary efforts to safeguard memory, promote healing, and strengthen the democratic values of justice, accountability, and human dignity.