Harvard University is facing increasing pressure to address allegations of anti-Semitism on its campus, as protesters’ “undisguised calls for the murder of Jews” have raised concerns about the Ivy League school’s response. A Harvard alum, Samantha Ettus, who is a Harvard graduate and prominent advocate, has called on the U.S. Department of Education to expand its ongoing probe of the university. The allegations stem from Harvard’s perceived lack of action in response to anti-Israel demonstrators who appeared to call for violence against Jews in Israel.
Following a coordinated protest on November 29, in which classes were disrupted by protesters using bullhorns to make abhorrent anti-Semitic calls, the alum urged the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to expand its investigation. The protest included demands for the elimination of the Jewish state and the “globalization of the intifada.” Both statements have been widely recognized as genocidal calls for violence against Jews and Israelis.
In a letter addressed to OCR’s Boston chief attorney, Kristi R. Harris, the alum thanked Harris for initiating the investigation but emphasized the need for its expansion. The letter highlighted that Harvard Hillel, a Jewish student organization, had reported the disruption caused by the protest. The alum argued that Harvard’s lack of response to these threats against Jews and Israelis is unacceptable and questioned whether a similar laissez-faire attitude would be shown if other minority groups were targeted.
Harvard University President Claudine Gay previously acknowledged the presence of anti-Semitism on campus and admitted that the university has done too little to confront it. In response, the alum commended Gay for her candid admission but called for tangible action. President Gay is scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Tuesday, where she will address the issue of anti-Semitism on campus.
The alum’s letter also drew attention to the federal funding received by Harvard, totaling $676 million in fiscal year 2023. The letter argued that the U.S. Department of Education has an obligation to ensure that public funds are not used to finance prejudice. Therefore, the alum requested that the OCR expand its investigation to include Harvard’s latest failure to comply with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin.
The initial complaint that sparked the investigation alleged that Harvard discriminated against Jewish and Israeli students by failing to appropriately respond to harassment. This included an incident where a first-year Israeli student at Harvard Business School was physically assaulted and verbally berated by pro-Palestinian protesters during a demonstration on campus.
The expanded investigation by the U.S. Department of Education highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the need for accountability. As Harvard continues to grapple with the issue of anti-Semitism on its campus, the outcome of the investigation will have significant implications for the university and its commitment to upholding civil rights.
Danielle Wallace, a reporter for Digital, covers politics, crime, and police-related news. She can be contacted at [email protected] and can be followed on Twitter at @danimwallace. Stay updated on the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews by subscribing to the newsletter.
