The University of Haifa is grateful to Mr. Dov Shafir, longstanding friend and supporter of the University of Haifa, for his generous gift to the Maritime Policy & Strategy Research Center (HMS). Mr. Shafir pledged $1 million dollars to support research grants, student scholarships and the Center’s research activities, which are aimed at expanding Israel’s circles of influence and supporting the development of a comprehensive maritime strategy for the country. Established in 2016 at the initiative of Dov Shafir and Ami Ayalon, HMS is Israel’s leading think tank in the field of maritime strategy, with an emphasis on the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea regions. HMS recently expanded its research agenda by merging with The Ezri Center for Iran & Persian Gulf Studies. The gift was secured through the Israeli Friends of the University of Haifa working in close cooperation with the Center’s Director Prof. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Shaul Chorev and the Center’s Executive Committee.

*(l-r) Prof. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Shaul Chorev, Head of HMS and The Ezri Center for Iran & Persian Gulf Studies, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Ami Ayalon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of HMS and former Chairman of the University of Haifa’s Executive Committee, Mr. Dov Shafir, and President Ron Robin.