UPenn Loses Major Donor Due to Anti-Semitism, Regrets Actions
The Fallout Over UPenn’s Handling of Pro-Palestinian Event Sparks Major Donor Backlash
The University of Pennsylvania is facing severe backlash and losing support from major donors after its refusal to distance itself from a pro-Palestinian event and condemn the terror attacks in Israel. In an open letter, former hedge fund builder and philanthropist David Magerman expressed his deep shame and announced that he would no longer donate to UPenn. He called on all ”self-respecting Jews” to follow suit.
“I am deeply ashamed of my association with the University of Pennsylvania. I refuse to donate another dollar to Penn,” David Magerman, a former hedge fund builder and philanthropist, wrote Tuesday in an open letter.
Magerman specifically criticized UPenn’s handling of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, which featured speakers with a history of making anti-Semitic comments. The event received criticism from both the campus community and national Jewish groups.
In response to the criticism, UPenn President Liz Magill and other administrators condemned anti-Semitism but emphasized the university’s support for the “free expression of views,” even those that contradict its values.
“We unequivocally—and emphatically—condemn anti-Semitism as antithetical to our institutional values. As a university, we also fiercely support the free exchange of ideas as central to our educational mission,” the administrators wrote on Sept. 12, a week ahead of the event. “This includes the expression of views that are controversial and even those that are incompatible with our institutional values.”
Magerman argued that UPenn’s defense of free speech, combined with its initial ambivalence towards the Hamas terror attacks, indicates a “misguided moral compass.”
“My only conclusion, from your fierce support for the Hamas-affiliated speakers at the Palestine Writes festival, followed by your equivocating statements about the heinous acts of barbarism perpetrated by the same Hamas you allowed these speakers to promote, from your failure to call out evil, is that you are ambivalent to the unprecedented evil their acts represent,” he wrote.
“The University of Pennsylvania does not condemn as evil the butchers who behead babies and kidnap and rape girls. The University of Pennsylvania does not consider those actions to be evil and their perpetrators to be evil,” he continued. “Why can’t you call it evil? I can only conclude that you don’t consider it evil.”
Magerman firmly stated that nothing the university does can change his mind.
“I’m not asking for any actions. You have shown me who you are,” he wrote. “My only remaining hope is that all self-respecting Jews, and all moral citizens of the world, dissociate themselves from Penn.”
Magerman’s outrage follows a second statement by President Magill, in which she condemned Hamas’ terrorist assault on Israel and their violent atrocities against civilians. This was a change from her initial statement that did not include any condemnation.
The statement also acknowledged the anger and frustration caused by the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, particularly because it coincided with the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Magill admitted that the university should have acted more swiftly in expressing opposition to the anti-Semitic views expressed by some of the event’s speakers.
“The University did not, and emphatically does not, endorse these speakers or their views,” she wrote.
Among the festival’s speakers were Roger Waters, a Pink Floyd co-founder known for performing in a Nazi-like uniform, and Marc Lamont Hill, a former CNN commentator fired for calling for a “free Palestine from the river to the sea,” a chant seen by many as a call for the extermination of Israel. The event’s organizer, Susan Abulhawa, has also made controversial remarks, including expressing hope for the eradication of Israel.
Several other UPenn donors, including Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Apollo CEO Marc Rowan, have also withdrawn their financial support from the university in recent days.
What actions can UPenn take to address the concerns raised by major donors and condemn anti-Semitism while still upholding principles of academic freedom
And murderers of Jews, only the expressions of free speech by their colleagues and fellow travelers.”
Magerman’s letter has garnered significant attention and support from other donors as well. Some have pledged to withhold future donations until UPenn takes a stronger stance against anti-Semitism and condemns the terror attacks. The university relies heavily on donations to fund scholarships, research, and various academic programs, so the backlash from major donors poses a significant financial threat.
This incident at UPenn is not isolated, as universities across the United States have faced controversy and backlash regarding their handling of pro-Palestinian events and anti-Semitic incidents. Critics argue that universities should prioritize inclusivity and condemn hate speech, while also respecting the values of free speech and academic freedom.
However, the line between free speech and hate speech can sometimes be blurred, and universities must navigate this delicate balance. It is crucial for universities to foster an environment that encourages diverse viewpoints and constructive dialogue, but they must also condemn any form of hate speech or expressions that incite violence.
In this particular case, UPenn’s hesitant response and refusal to distance itself from the pro-Palestinian event have sparked major backlash. Donors like Magerman argue that by failing to condemn the terror attacks and allowing speakers with a history of making anti-Semitic comments, the university is condoning hate speech and endorsing violence against Jews.
It is essential for universities to carefully consider their response to such events and weigh the potential consequences. While supporting the free expression of views is an important principle, universities must also take a stand against hate speech and ensure the safety and well-being of all their students and community members.
As the fallout continues over UPenn’s handling of the pro-Palestinian event and the subsequent major donor backlash, the university now faces a critical test of its commitment to inclusivity, academic freedom, and the fight against hate speech. It remains to be seen how UPenn will address the concerns raised by Magerman and other donors, and whether it will take stronger action to condemn anti-Semitism and support its Jewish community.
Ultimately, universities have a responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students and community members. Balancing the principles of free speech and condemning hate speech is a challenging task, but it is one that universities must undertake in order to preserve their integrity and promote the values of tolerance, understanding, and respect.
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