Over 600 alumni, faculty, and students of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have come together to address concerns regarding the safety of Jewish and Israeli students on campus. They have written a letter to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, urging her to take steps to prevent the propagation of hateful messages and acts that may threaten the well-being of these students. This comes after an anti-Israel protest last week where chants of “one solution, intifada revolution” and “from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea, Palestine will be free!” were heard.
The letter emphasizes that while free speech and peaceful assembly are important principles, the safety of all members of the MIT community should be prioritized. It highlights instances of derogatory language and hateful messages directed towards Jewish and Israeli individuals at the protest. The signatories also note that the use of the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” has been associated with calls for the destruction of Israel and has been used in contexts promoting violence.
The letter draws attention to the potential dangers associated with such slogans, citing examples such as the proposal to criminalize its use in certain contexts by British Home Secretary Suella Braverman during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. It also mentions the Vienna police’s ban on a demonstration due to the inclusion of the phrase, as it was seen as a violation of human rights.
In response to the concerns raised, the letter demands that MIT cease all operations associated with individuals and organizations responsible for the hateful statements on campus. It specifically calls for the dissolution of the Coalition Against Apartheid (CAA), the campus group that issued a statement holding the Israeli regime responsible for the violence. The signatories also request the establishment of clear rules and regulations against incitement of violence, heightened security and oversight at events, and the implementation of physical and technological measures.
MIT President Sally Kornbluth has condemned the Hamas terror attacks and expressed support for free speech in the past. However, in a subsequent statement, she acknowledged the concerns raised by individuals in the community and stressed the need to address individual targeting, harassment, and calls to violence. She emphasized that MIT should not become a place where such behavior is accepted and stated that the school is taking practical measures to ensure the safety of the community.
The letter’s organizers remain hopeful that MIT leadership is preparing a thoughtful and thorough response to their concerns. The letter initially had 550 signatures but has since gained support from an additional 57 MIT affiliates.
Digital reached out to MIT for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
[Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Digital.]
