Harvard President Claudine Gay has apologized for remarks she made about antisemitism while testifying before Congress.
“I’m sorry. Words matter,” Gay said during an interview with the Harvard Crimson on Thursday.
“When words amplify hardship and pain, I don’t know how you can feel anything but regret,” he added.
On Tuesday, Gay appeared before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to discuss antisemitism and threats against Jewish students on Harvard’s campus.
During the exchange with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Gay was asked whether calling for the massacre of Jews on campus violated the university’s code of conduct regarding bullying and harassment.
Gay said it depends on the “context” of the incident.
When asked to give a yes or no answer, Gay said antisemitic speech could justify action from Harvard if the conduct crossed the line into bullying, harassment and intimidation.
Stefanik again pressed Gay for a simple yes-or-no answer.
“Again, it depends on the context,” Gay said.
Harvard President Claudine Gay has apologized for remarks she made about antisemitism while testifying before Congress. AP
His comments drew backlash on social media and even prompted a response from the White House.
Following the backlash, Gay issued a statement on social media, claiming that some have “confused” the right to free speech with the idea that Harvard condones “calls for violence against Jewish students.”
“Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are abhorrent, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held accountable,” he continued.
During the exchange with Rep. Elise Stefanik (above), Gay was asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews on campus violated the university’s code of conduct. AP In response, Gay said it depends on the “context” of the incident. Reuters
Gay further clarified his comments during his interview with the Crimson.
“I was caught up in what had happened at that point, a long and aggressive exchange about policies and procedures,” Gay said. “What I should have had the presence of mind to do at that time was to return to my guiding truth, which is to call for violence against our Jewish community – a threat to our Jewish students – has no place at Harvard and will never be challenged. Substantively, I failed to convey my truth.”
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Gay noted that when the committee invited him to sit before the hearing, he did not hesitate to agree and said it was an opportunity to convey his personal and institutional commitment to combating antisemitism.
His initial statements during the trial have led to a significant downfall.
People gathered at Harvard University to show their support for the Palestinians in Gaza at a rally on October 14. AFP via Getty Images Following the backlash, Gay issued a statement on social media, claiming that some had “confused” the right to free speech with the idea that Harvard allowed “calls for violence against Jewish students.” Reuters
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has announced a formal investigation into antisemitism at Harvard, and Rabbi David Wolpe resigned from an advisory group created to address threats to Jews that Gay had established in November.
Gay’s comments have also led to criticism from Harvard Hillel president and Crimson editorial chief Jacob M. Miller, as well as campus Hillel Rabbi Getzel Davis.
Tuesday’s statement from Miller and Davis claimed that Gay’s “failure” to adequately condemn antisemitic speech “calls into question his ability to protect Jewish students on Harvard’s campus.”
“President Gay’s testimony fails to convince us that the University cares deeply about the antisemitic rhetoric that is rampant on campus,” Miller and Davis added.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
