In a move aimed at addressing growing concerns about antisemitism on campus, Harvard University President Claudine Gay has announced the formation of an advisory council. The group will include faculty, staff, alumni, and leaders from the Jewish community.
This announcement came amid heavy criticism of Harvard’s handling of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas that started with the horrific terror attack on October 7 leaving over 1,400 brutally murdered and over 250 hostages taken into Gaza and subsequent pro-Palestinian movement on campus.
Speaking at a Harvard Hillel Shabbat Dinner, Gay stated, “we are witnessing a surge in anti-Jewish incidents and rhetoric across the nation — and on our own campus.”
Gay said she has heard “story after story” of “Jewish students feeling increasingly uneasy or even threatened.”
“As president, I am committed to tackling this pernicious hatred with the urgency it demands,” Gay stated. “Antisemitism has a very long and shameful history at Harvard. For years, this University has done too little to confront its continuing presence. No longer.”
The council will work closely with other high-ranking officials at the university, including Provost Garber and various School deans, to develop a clear plan for combating antisemitism on campus.
One could argue that such a plan should have been in place long ago, given the university’s troubled history with this form of bigotry.
The university has been under scrutiny since 34 student groups, led by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups, signed a statement blaming the “Israeli regime” for all violence following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Gay initially responded by condemning the actions of Hamas, but did not explicitly criticize the student groups’ controversial stance.
In a subsequent video message, Gay explained that while Harvard doesn’t “punish or sanction” people for holding polarizing views, it also doesn’t endorse those views.
This clarification didn’t sit well with many, creating severe consequences for the university. A leading law firm retracted job offers made to students involved in these organizations.
Additionally, some high-profile donors cut ties with the university, and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan withdrew his offer to participate in Harvard’s fellowship programs as reported by Fox News.
At the end of the day, Gay has done nothing more than create a task force that will more than likely do nothing typical of any institution or government.
It’s not enough to just treat the symptom; the university needs to go after the root cause. Failure to do so is a complete moral shortcoming leaves Jewish students at risk.
