Is the future of Harvard at risk?

Just three days after the escalation of the war between the state of Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, numerous student associations of Harvard University have signed and published a statement attributing the responsibility for the attacks by Hamas – likened to Israel's equivalent of 9/11 – to what has been referred to as the «Israeli regime.» According to the student organizations, the Hamas attacks resulting in over a thousand casualties «did not happen without reason.» The signatory students and, more broadly, the university have faced significant criticism from the outset. Demonstrations in support of Palestine (and against Israel) have also been observed in Italy and Europe, but in the United States, the issue is leading to tangible consequences, capturing the attention of business and political leaders.

As reported by the New York Times, donors funding the country's universities, especially the wealthiest and most prestigious ones – including Harvard, where eight Presidents and numerous Nobel laureates have been educated – have gradually entered the debate. Institutions like Harvard, Stanford, or MIT have incomparable budgets compared to Italian and European universities, but their prestige is also due to the economic resources at their disposal. Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of one of the world's largest investment funds and an ex-Harvard student, heavily criticized his alma mater – to which he had already donated three hundred million dollars this year alone. Idan Ofer, Israeli billionaire and Harvard board member, resigned in protest against the University. The University's delay in condemning the events further exacerbated the situation.

Investors criticism against Harvard

After two days of silence from the university leadership, the case exploded. Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary and Harvard's ex-president, deemed the institution's conduct unprecedented, adding that he had never experienced such disappointing and shocking moments in his 50 years of association with his alma mater. Subsequent statements released by Harvard's president, Claudine Gay, condemning Hamas's actions and stating that the students' position did not reflect that of the University, did not quell the criticisms. The communication was deemed late and inadequate, and numerous professors, assistants, and former university professors signed an open letter criticizing Gay's alleged neutrality. Even harsher reactions came from many other prominent alumni, such as Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who tweeted: «What the hell is wrong with Harvard?»

Major donors have stepped back. The Wexner Foundation, which has been funding a wide range of leadership programs for Jewish professionals at Harvard since 1989, has cut its contributions due to the university's tepid condemnation of the Hamas attack: «We are shocked and saddened by Harvard's complete failure of leadership to take an unequivocal stand.» Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a fund that financially supports Harvard, strongly criticized the university and said he had been contacted by several CEOs asking for the names of student organizations to ensure they do not inadvertently hire any of their members. Finally, over 1,500 former student donors have signed a letter protesting against the alleged tolerance of antisemitism within the institution. In this regard, a Harvard Ph.D. student has also written an open letter to the American press and academic authorities: «As the grandson of an Auschwitz survivor and a student of Jewish history in Germany, I have always struggled to believe that a people of high culture like the Germans, the nation of Goethe and Beethoven, could show sympathy and even enthusiasm for the Nazi extermination of the Jews. Now I believe it. I've seen it happen here.»