Sen. John Fetterman told Yeshiva University graduating class on Wednesday that he was “deeply disappointed” that Harvard University had failed to address anti-Semitism on campus before removing the ceremonial crimson degree caps that represent his alma mater.
The Pennsylvania Democrat expressed his frustration with the Ivy League institution in a commencement speech at the private Orthodox Jewish college, where he was presented with the university’s highest honor, the “Hero of Israel” award.
“I was deeply disappointed [in] “Harvard University has been incapable of advocating for the Jewish community since Oct. 7,” Fetterman, 54, told the freshman class at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens.
“Personally, I fundamentally don’t think it’s right to wear this today,” the senator added, removing the hoodie that identifies him as a Harvard University graduate.
Fetterman, a strong supporter of Israel’s war against Hamas, received a standing ovation after the symbolic gesture.
“Jewish communities around the world deserve our support,” he added, “and I assure you that you will always have my support.”
Fetterman’s remarks were well received. Dancing with students and school leaders After finishing his speech.
Former Harvard University president Claudine Gay faced intense criticism for failing to criticize 30 Harvard student groups that published a letter in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish state saying “Israel bears full responsibility” for the deadly violence perpetrated by Hamas.
Gay then appeared before the assembly on December 5th and refused to say that anyone who called for the mass murder of Jews on campus would be punished.
At the time, Harvard faculty published a letter in support of Gay and urged university officials not to bow to political pressure.
Gay resigned as dean in January following an unrelated plagiarism allegation but remains on the faculty as a professor of political science and African and African American studies.
Mr. Fetterman earned his Bachelor’s degree from Albright College in Pennsylvania in 1991 and his MBA from the University of Connecticut in 1993.
The senator earned a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School in 1999, though he has previously said he “doesn’t recognize” the school as one he attended.
“As a Harvard alumnus — I graduated 25 years ago — I was always a little pink, of course,” he told Semaphore in January, “but now I don’t get it.”
Fetterman last month recommended former Massachusetts governor and current Republican senator from Utah Mitt Romney for the position of Harvard University president, a position currently being held on an interim basis by former deputy president Alan Garber.
