In the midst of mounting criticism of her handling of the crisis, Harvard president Claudine Gay responds to attempts to reveal the identities of students who signed a letter blaming Israel for the Hamas massacres. Gay released a video on Thursday night asserting that the Ivy League school is committed to free expression and does not punish individuals for expressing objectionable views. She condemns the atrocities committed by Hamas but does not explicitly mention the student organizations that co-signed the letter. Notably, famous Harvard alumni such as Larry Summers and Bill Ackman have expressed their outrage.
Gay’s video is the third official statement she has made since the surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli towns and military bases. The attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths, thousands of injuries, and multiple hostages. The initial statement released on Monday, which did not explicitly condemn Hamas or the student letter, was criticized for being delayed. On Tuesday, Gay released a statement condemning the “terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.” She acknowledges the complex origins of conflicts in the region but condemns inhumanity.
In response to the student letter, Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, has demanded that Harvard release a list of the students’ names. He has also garnered support from business executives who have vowed to deny employment opportunities to these students. However, Larry Summers and Jason Furman believe Ackman’s actions go too far.
Meanwhile, a “doxxing truck” drove around the Harvard campus displaying the names and photos of students who reportedly signed the letter. Although 34 student groups initially co-signed, five of them have since withdrawn their endorsements. Despite the controversy, Gay maintains that student groups do not represent the university or its leadership.
Lastly, as the controversy escalates, billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife, Batia, have resigned from the executive board of Harvard Kennedy School.
In conclusion, Gay and Harvard are facing intense scrutiny for their handling of the crisis. While Gay defends the principles of free expression and condemns the atrocities committed by Hamas, critics argue that her statements were delayed and failed to explicitly condemn Hamas or the student letter. The demands for transparency and accountability continue to reverberate within the Harvard community.
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