The co-chairs of Harvard University's new Anti-Semitism Task Force face backlash for describing the Jewish state as an “apartheid regime” and signing a letter criticizing Israel for its treatment of Palestinians. are doing.
interim president alan garber Two new announcements A presidential task force aimed at combating anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bigotry was launched Friday, with Harvard Jewish history professor Derek J. Pensler as co-chair of the task force. The selection led to a wide range of opinions. Criticism.
Mr. Pensler, along with more than 2,800 scholars, clergy, and other luminaries, signed an open letter The document, written by the group Academics4Peace in August before the October 7 Hamas attack, said the Israeli government would carry out “ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in all areas under Israeli control.” “Palestinians live under an apartheid regime,” he said.
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Former Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers and Harvard alumnus and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman have publicly criticized Harvard in recent months, and Pensler's new role comes after former Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers and Harvard alumnus and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman expressed opposition.
“Harvard continues down the path to darkness'' Ackman Posted in X Following Pensler's promotion announcement.
summers said on sunday “I have lost confidence in the determination and ability of Harvard University and its leadership to maintain Harvard as a place where Jews and Israelis can thrive,” he said.
Given Pensler's background, Summers said, he is “unsuited to lead a task force tasked with combating what many see as a serious anti-Semitism problem at Harvard.” Stated.
In a statement to FOX News Digital, a Harvard University spokesperson said, “Professor Derek Pensler is a distinguished scholar of modern Jewish and Israeli history and is highly regarded as a leading authority in his field. He is widely respected throughout the Harvard University community as a… We approach research and teaching without prejudice, respect opposing viewpoints, and approach difficult problems with care and reason. ”
The spokesperson added, “He is deeply committed to confronting anti-Semitism and improving the experience for Jewish students at Harvard.”
“I am honored to be a member of the Harvard University community and am dedicated to the education and well-being of our students,” Pensler said in a separate statement. I think it's a great opportunity.” “About anti-Semitism and more subtle forms of social exclusion affecting Jewish students at Harvard University. Only with this information can Harvard be effective in improving the lives of Jewish students on campus.” policy can be implemented.”
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt I wrote to X He argued that Harvard's move was a lesson that “we shouldn't fight anti-Semitism.”
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Academics4Peace published another letter in December calling for an “immediate and durable ceasefire” that included hostage and prisoner exchanges and emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza, but Pensler did not sign it.
Harvard University has formed a task force after facing harsh criticism for its handling of anti-Semitism on campus following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed at least 1,200 Israelis. .
Former university president Claudine Gay was repeatedly questioned during a Congressional hearing on anti-Semitism about whether calls for genocide against Jews on campus violated Harvard's rules against bullying and harassment. He resigned earlier this month after giving vague answers. She was subsequently faced with accusations of plagiarism many times throughout her academic career.
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