Hamas, Gaza and American universities: more letters, and two speeches

 First, letters from the President of the Hebrew University to his counterparts at Harvard and Stanford:

“You Have Failed Us” Letters by Hebrew University Leadership to the Presidents of Harvard University and Stanford University

The leadership of the Hebrew University in a strongly-worded, unequivocal response letter to the presidents of Harvard and Stanford universities, following their weak condemnation of Hamas: “You have failed us, not only as Israelis, who are subject to the imminent threat of being subject to genocide, but also as leaders of an academic institution, who expect their colleagues to present higher moral standards and more courage.”

In a strongly-worded, unequivocal response letter jointly signed by Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Rector of the Hebrew University, and Prof. Barak Medina, was dispatched to the Presidents of Harvard and Stanford Universities. This letter comes in the wake of what the Hebrew University officials perceive as shockingly feeble condemnations from these revered institutions in response to Hamas’ recent barbaric assault on Israel and the grievous loss of life among the southern residents.

In their letter addressed to the Presidents of Harvard and Stanford, the senior officials of the Hebrew University made it unequivocally clear that there is no room for “balance” or justification when it comes to such a heinous assault by Hamas on Israel. They expressed their deep disappointment in the messages emanating from these universities under their leadership, deeming them to fall far short of the minimum standards expected of moral leadership, courage, and a commitment to truth.

The response letter proceeds to recount the distressing sequence of events that transpired in the southern region of the country, beginning on October 7, 2023, highlighting the war crimes and atrocities committed by Hamas against innocent civilians. It concludes with the stern statement, “you have failed us, not only as Israelis, who are subject to the imminent threat of being subject to genocide, but also as leaders of an academic institution, who expect their colleagues to present higher moral standards, and more courage.”

To read the full letters: https://en.huji.ac.il/news/letters-presidents-harvard-university-and-stanford-university

Letter to Harvard University

Letter to Stanford University

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And here's a statement from some Yale faculty condemning Hamas but worrying about what comes next in Gaza:

Statement of Concerned Yale Faculty Regarding Crimes Against Humanity in Israel-Palestine

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Earlier:

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Thinking locally about Hamas, and murderous antisemitism, on college campuses

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I've spent my adult life in and around universities, and in many ways and at many times universities have been at the forefront of progress.  But for right now, as we brace ourselves for what may be coming, I'll let two elected political leaders, the Mayor of New York and the President of the United States, have the last words: