


Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia have stepped down from Harvard University's executive board after criticizing the school's leadership for not taking a strong enough stand against a student letter blaming Israel for the surprise attacks launched against the Jewish state last week.
Dozens of student groups signed a letter that said they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence” after Hamas fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israel almost a week ago on Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday celebrating the annual cycle of the Torah scroll reading. Some 2,900 have died in the subsequent conflict, among them 27 United States citizens. It is likely that there are also Americans among the 150 people taken hostage by Hamas.
BLINKEN PROMISES US WILL BACK ISRAEL AS NETANYAHU VOWS TO DESTROY HAMAS
“Unfortunately, our faith in the university’s leadership has been broken, and we cannot, in good faith, continue to support Harvard and its committees,” the Ofers told CNN. "We denounce those who seek to place blame on the people of Israel for the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization Hamas.”
On Thursday, four days after the letter was published, Harvard President Claudine Gay issued a video statement.
“People have asked me where we stand. So, let me be clear. Our university rejects terrorism — that includes the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by Hamas,” Gay said. “Our university rejects hate — hate of Jews, hate of Muslims, hate of any group of people based on their faith, their national origin, or any aspect of their identity.”
Still, the Ofers claimed there is a "lack of clear evidence of support from the university’s leadership for the people of Israel following the tragic events of the past week."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“With so much disinformation being spread by social media, it is essential that the world’s great institutions speak with a clear and unequivocal voice at this critical time,” their statement read.
Idan Ofer's father, Sammy, was once recognized by Forbes as the single richest man in Israel before he died in 2011. Now Ofer, who shared his inheritance with one other brother, owns Eastern Pacific Shipping and has a stake in two more shipping companies, XT Shipping and Ace Tankers, while owning a majority of a third shipping company, Israel Corp. Forbes has him pegged as the 125th richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of over $13 billion.