Harvard University condemned an Instagram post by a pro-Palestinian faculty group for sharing an antisemitic image.
The university denounced the post, calling it “despicable” and “flagrantly antisemitic.”
The post received widespread backlash, including criticism from billionaire Bill Ackman and Elon Musk.
This is grim. https://t.co/2YU0ZKaZIG
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) February 19, 2024
“Harvard *faculty* just posted an explicitly antisemitic poster depicting a Jewish hand controlling the black mind. With professors like these, it’s easy to see why we Jewish students don’t feel safe in class,” Shabbos Kestenbaum said.
“This is grim,” billionaire Bill Ackman said.
“If you understand how leftist ideologues think, none of this should be surprising,” columnist Adam Coleman said.
Harvard is reviewing the matter and has referred it to the Harvard College Administrative Board.
“The University is aware of social media posts today containing deeply offensive antisemitic tropes and messages from organizations whose membership includes Harvard affiliates. Such despicable messages have no place in the Harvard community. We condemn these posts in the strongest possible terms,” Harvard stated.
“This matter is being reviewed by the University and is being referred to the Harvard College Administrative Board, which is responsible for the application and enforcement of undergraduate academic regulations and social conduct,” the statement added, reading, “Harvard rejects antisemitism in all of its forms. We are determined to combat any such hate and bias in our community.”
The group apologized for the content and stated they stand against all forms of hate.
The university’s interim president emphasized the need for compassion and mutual respect in discourse.
The post featured an antisemitic cartoon and referenced solidarity between Black and Palestinian liberation movements.
Antisemitism has been a concern on American college campuses, with protests at Harvard sometimes involving antisemitic language and displays.
