Open letter slams Harvard for neglecting Jewish students.
Mitt Romney and Seth Klarman Speak Out Against Harvard’s Failure to Protect Jewish Students
Five prominent Harvard Business School alumni are passionately criticizing the Ivy League institution for its failure to ensure the safety of its Jewish students. They are referencing a Washington Free Beacon report that highlights an incident where an Israeli student was physically assaulted during a campus protest.
In an open letter addressed to Harvard leadership, Senator Mitt Romney (R., Utah), billionaire investor Seth Klarman, and other notable graduates are urging the college to take action and “lead by re-establishing moral and respectful conduct on your campuses.” The letter points out recent instances of “hate and vitriol against Jews” witnessed at Harvard, including the assault on the Israeli student during an anti-Israel protest. This incident, initially reported by the Free Beacon, has left Jewish students at Harvard feeling fearful for their own safety.
“Despite these serious concerns, university leadership shockingly has been paralyzed,” the letter states. ”We fear that history is on the verge of repeating itself. We know from studying the worst episodes of human history that violence must be nipped in the bud, bullies must be confronted, and inaction and handwringing incentivizes more acts of hate.”
This letter comes at a time when Harvard is facing backlash for its response to the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,300 Israelis, including women and children.
Shortly after the attack, Bridget Terry Long, the dean of Harvard Graduate School of Education, sent a message to students blaming “both Hamas and the Israeli government” for the killings. This message was followed by a coalition of more than 30 Harvard student groups blaming Israel for provoking the attack, accusing the Jewish state of having an “apartheid regime” and holding it “entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”
Harvard president Claudine Gay eventually issued a belated statement condemning “the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.” However, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic demonstrations continued to persist on campus. During one of these demonstrations, two Harvard graduate students, Ibrahim Bharmal and Elom Tettey Tamaklo, physically confronted a first-year Israeli student at Harvard Business School. The student was shoved by demonstrators wearing keffiyehs while shouting “SHAME!”
According to Romney and Klarman’s letter, Harvard has failed to address this incident despite numerous meetings. The letter calls on President Gay and other Harvard leaders to restrict protests to enrolled students only and prohibit protesters from covering their faces.
“Leaders should declare that campus police are reviewing all videos of these hate-filled, violent altercations and that any students, faculty members, or employees who have violated the code of conduct will face suspension or expulsion,” the letter demands.
Harvard has not responded to requests for comment.
What does the open letter from Romney, Klarman, and their fellow alumni criticize Harvard for?
Ol of Education, sent an email to students and faculty expressing condolences for the loss of life caused by the conflict. However, many critics argue that the email lacked any mention of Hamas’s role in the attack and failed to condemn the terrorist organization.
In response to the backlash, Harvard issued a statement clarifying that they condemn the actions of Hamas and support the right of Israeli citizens to live in peace and security. However, this response did little to satisfy those who believe that the university should be taking a stronger stance against anti-Semitism and terrorism.
The open letter from Romney, Klarman, and their fellow alumni goes on to criticize what they perceive as a lack of leadership from Harvard. They argue that the university must actively confront instances of hate and take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all students – particularly Jewish students who have experienced increased incidents of anti-Semitism on campus.
“True leadership requires more than just words; it requires action,” the letter states. “We implore Harvard’s leaders to take a stand against hatred and bigotry, to create a campus environment that is safe and inclusive for all, and to ensure that Jewish students can pursue their education without fear of persecution.”
The letter also calls for Harvard to implement educational programs that promote understanding and tolerance, as well as to strengthen its policies and procedures for responding to acts of hatred and discrimination. Additionally, it urges the university to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Jewish organizations and leaders to address and combat anti-Semitism on campus.
The letter concludes by stating that failure to act on these matters will lead to a tarnished reputation for Harvard and a continuing erosion of trust in the university’s leadership. It calls on the institution to live up to its mission of providing a nurturing and inclusive educational environment for all students.
“Harvard’s legacy is not only based on academic excellence, but also on moral leadership,” the letter asserts. “It is time for Harvard to reaffirm its commitment to that legacy.”
The open letter has sparked a broader discussion about the responsibility of universities to protect the safety and well-being of all students and to actively combat hate and discrimination on campus. It remains to be seen how Harvard will respond to the call for action from its influential alumni, but the pressure is mounting for the university to take a stronger stance in support of its Jewish students.
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