Harvard University is facing criticism for its summer program that will send students to Birzeit University in the West Bank.
The program, focused on Palestinian health, has raised concerns due to Birzeit University’s alignment with terrorist groups and its student body’s election of a Hamas-affiliated bloc to run its government.
Despite defending the program, Harvard’s association with Birzeit University has sparked controversy. (Trending: Anthony Fauci Questioned About Evidence Behind COVID Restrictions)
Harvard’s “Palestine Social Medicine Course” will will reportedly send students to Birzeit University in the West Bank for a “three-week intensive summer course is designed to introduce students to the social, structural, political, and historical aspects that determine Palestinian health beyond the biological basis of disease.”
A spokeswoman for Harvard said, Birzeit “is a public institution governed by an autonomous Board of Trustees with no political, religious, or sectarian affiliation.”
The university has a history of honoring prominent terrorists and has openly expressed support for terrorist activities.
David Mills, the co-director of the Harvard program, said, “We condemn the Israeli raid of Birzeit University on September 24th and stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Birzeit University.”
“These raids violate the right of Palestinians to education, freedom of speech, and freedom of association,” he continued.
Stephanie Simon, Harvard’s Dean for Communications and Strategic Initiatives, said, “Student government elections at Birzeit typically involve candidates affiliated with each of the major political parties in the region, including Hamas.”
“These student government elections are not germane to and have not affected the FXB Center’s work with the scholars and students at Birzeit’s Institute of Community and Public Health,” she continued.
“Nevertheless, Harvard Chan School will continue to regularly evaluate the collaboration with Birzeit,” concluded the Harvard dean.
Birzeit University, posted, “Birzeit also expresses its sincere condolences to its staff and students, who, every day of the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, lose loved ones and relatives and calls on the world to halt this onslaught.”
“Glory for martyrs, recovery for wounded ones, and freedom for the captives,” the university continued.
The faculty for the program have also been involved in controversial statements and actions.
Amira Haas said, “She and her colleagues were afraid, she told me, that students would break into the conference hall in protest over my presence.”
“Palestinian citizens of Israel who teach at Israeli universities are not subject to the same policy,” continued Haas.
The program is set to take place from July 29 to August 17, with a cost of $2,750 per participant.
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