In a recent development, Larry Summers, President Emeritus of Harvard University, expressed his dwindling faith in the institution's commitment to fostering an environment conducive to Jews and Israelis.
Summers' comments were triggered by the Harvard Corporation's decision to appoint a co-chair for a newly formed antisemitism task force.
The announcement of the task force was made by interim Harvard President Alan Garber on Friday. The university is launching two task forces aimed at combating antisemitism and Islamophobia. Harvard Professor Derek Penslar, a scholar of Jewish history and the director of Harvard's Center for Jewish Studies, has been appointed as co-chair of the antisemitism task force.
Summers, who held the position of Harvard's president from 2001 to 2006 and currently serves as a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, voiced his concerns on Sunday. He stated, "After Fridays new anti-Semitism task force announcement, I have lost confidence in the determination and ability of the Harvard Corporation and Harvard leadership to maintain Harvard as a place where Jews and Israelis can flourish."
He further criticized the university's handling of the advisory committee, which he claimed disbanded without causing any significant impact. He highlighted the resignation of Rabbi David Wolpe, a respected member of the committee, who stepped down following former Harvard President Claudine Gay's refusal to label calls for Jewish genocide as antisemitic during a House hearing on antisemitism.
Summers, who also served as the US Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton, expressed his doubts about Penslar's suitability to lead the task force. He acknowledged Penslar's scholarly expertise and goodwill but questioned his ability to address what many perceive as a severe antisemitism issue at Harvard.
Summers, who also served as the director of the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama, pointed out Penslar's public minimization of Harvards antisemitism problem. He criticized Penslar's rejection of the US government's definition of antisemitism as too broad and his reference to Israel as an apartheid state. Summers also noted Penslar's stance on the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel, which he does not support but considers a reasonable position.
In August, Penslar signed an open letter that falsely claimed that Palestinians live under an apartheid regime and accused Israel of ethnic cleansing. He also stated that Jewish supremacism has been on the rise for years.
Summers argued that while Penslar's views might not be problematic for a Harvard professor or a task force member, they are highly problematic for the co-chair of an antisemitism task force, especially one that is being paralleled with an Islamophobia task force.
Summers urged Penslar to step down as co-chair of the task force and called on Harvard's leadership to acknowledge the damage done to their credibility by Penslar's appointment. He stated, "As things currently stand, I am unable to reassure Harvard community members, those we are recruiting or prospective students that Harvard is making progress in countering anti-Semitism."
Bill Ackman, a billionaire Harvard alumnus who has previously criticized the university for its failure to address antisemitism, commented on Penslar's appointment, stating that Harvard "continues on the path of darkness."
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