More than 100 Harvard professors have sent a letter to university president Claudine Gay, condemning her for issuing statements against antisemitism on campus – claiming she is pandering to the interests of wealthy donors and alumni, and violating students’ free speech.
“As Harvard faculty, we are shocked by the pressure from donors, alumni and even some on this campus to silence faculty, students and staff who are critical of the actions of the State of Israel,” the open letter reads.
“It is important to recognize the respectful tone and format of much of the criticism you receive, as well as the overt racism contained in some of it.”
The letter went on to urge university officials to “reaffirm its commitment to freedom of thought, inquiry and expression in light of the extraordinary pressure being brought to bear on critics of the State of Israel and supporters of the Palestinian people.”
“There must be … space on university campuses to debate the actions of the state, including the State of Israel,” he said.
“It cannot be decided as ipso facto antisemitic to question the actions of this particular ethno-nationalist government, much less as ipso facto racist to question the actions of Robert Mugabe’s ethno-nationalist government in Zimbabwe,” the professors argued.
More than 100 Harvard University professors have written a letter to university president Claudine Gay condemning her for her statements against antisemitism on campus.Boston Globe via Getty Images
“Arguments characterizing Israel as an ‘apartheid’ state or its recent actions as ‘ethnic cleansing’ or even ‘genocide’ cannot be automatically considered antisemitic regardless of whether one agrees with such an argument.”
The letter also demanded Gay form an advisory group on Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism, similar to the one he announced last month he would form to combat antisemitism.
Gay told more than 200 Jewish students and their family members last month that “anti-Semitism has a very long and shameful history at Harvard,” referring to anti-Israel actions before the war broke out, including a 2018 incident in which a swastika was displayed on a school bulletin board.
“Over the years, the University has done too little to deal with its continued presence,” continued Gay. “Not anymore.”
The professors argued that Gay favored one group of students over another in his Nov. 9 statement.REUTERS In his statement earlier this month, Gay denounced the use of the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which many saw as calling for the elimination of Israel.AP
Gay remained vague about the goals of the board — made up of school administrators, professors and students — saying that “in the coming weeks, these advisors … will help us think broadly and concretely about all the ways antisemitism appears on our campuses and in campus culture us.”
“They will help us identify all the places — from our orientation and training to the way we teach — where we can intervene to disrupt and dismantle this ideology, and where we can educate our communities so they can recognize and confront antisemitism where it exists. only they see. that,” added Gay.
The president also condemned the use of the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which many saw as calling for the elimination of Israel.
“To have the president of Harvard condemn this speech is too far for us,” said Amir Mohareb, assistant professor of medicine.
He maintains that free speech – and the dissent that comes with it – is an important part of higher education.
The professors asked Gay to establish a task force to combat Islamophobia on campus.Getty Images
“The institutional environment should be safe for all people of all identities and walks of life, but at the same time, not violate speech that is so important to this global issue,” he told the Boston Globe.
“A large part of education is being exposed to ideas and opinions that one does not agree with.”
History Professor Kirsten Weld also said that by issuing his statement condemning antisemitism on November 9, Gay showed favoritism to one side of the conflict.
“In a conflict with high stakes, [Harvard] may not want to look like it’s taking sides, but if it only requires a task force for one group of students, it sends a message that protecting one group of community members is far more important than protecting others.”
The Post has reached out to Harvard for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
