A philanthropic organization that focuses on developing Jewish leaders in America has announced that it is cutting ties with Harvard over the university’s “dismal failure” to “take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists.”
In a letter penned to Harvard’s Board of Overseers on Monday, The Wexner Foundation announced it no longer feels as if Harvard is the place for them, and so the two entities are parting ways.
The Wexner Foundation said it had chosen the university’s Kennedy School of Government (HKS) “more than three decades ago” to house its program as it was seen as the “ideal” spot to develop and educate Israel’s public service leaders due to its “rigorous academic standards” and “steadfast commitment to honoring diversity.”
However, since then, Wexner says it has seen that “cherished tolerance” at the university slowly decline, adding that a “disappointing consequence” of that downward trend is that its Wexner Israeli Fellows are “increasingly marginalized” and that their “voices and views even shouted down.” Harvard has been slow to “craft a strategy” to solve that issue, Wexner adds.
Wexner then gets into the meat of their issue with Harvard, saying they are “stunned and sickened at the dismal failure of Harvard’s leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent civilians by terrorists last Saturday, the Sabbath and festival day,” referring to Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on Israel.
The foundation then references the controversial letter signed by 34 groups of Harvard students that blamed Israel for Hamas’ attack. Harvard’s leaders have been “tiptoeing” around the issue instead of denouncing the letter, Wexner says.
“In the absence of this clear moral stand, we have determined that the Harvard Kennedy School and The Wexner Foundation are no longer compatible partners,” the letter declares. “Our core values and those of Harvard no longer align. HKS is no longer a place where Israeli leaders can go to develop the necessary skills to address the very real political and societal challenges they face.”
Wexner adds at the end of the letter that their decision was made “with an unwavering commitment to our Israel Alumni, to Israel’s civil service and to the State of Israel.”
The foundation also adds that the letter is sent “with appreciation for many years of friendship and meaningful engagement with Harvard, and especially our colleagues at HKS and CPL.”
Harvard has been facing criticism for its response to the Israel-Hamas war from many angles as well. Billionaire Israeli shipping and chemicals magnate Idan Ofer and his wife have resigned from their positions at Harvard University over the university’s perceived weak response to the Israel-Hamas war.
Following criticism, Harvard President Claudine Gay explicitly condemned “the terrorist actions perpetrated by Hamas” in a statement.
The Wexner Foundation was begun in 1983 by retail magnate Les Wexner and his wife Abigail.
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