Harvard University said President Claudine Gay’s remarks that Harvard will defend the free speech varsity campus amid wide ranging support for Palestinians and Gazans amid Israel’s onslaught since December 7.
“There are some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students,” the university said in a statement issued after Harvard President Claudine Gay appeared before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Tuesday to quell the backlash against the University.
“There are some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students,” Gay said. “Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account.”
Stefanik specifically referenced the phrase “from the river to the sea” and chants like “intifada, intifada” which have been frequently heard during pro-Palestine protests on Harvard’s campus.
“At Harvard, does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment?” Stefanik asked at the start of a testy exchange with Gay.
“It can be, depending on the context,” Gay replied.
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Stefanik repeatedly tried to get Gay to give a yes or no answer to the question, growing frustrated as Gay sought to contextualize her response.
“Antisemitic speech when it crosses into conduct that amounts to bullying, harassment, intimidation — that is actionable conduct and we do take action,” Gay said.
She said: “Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account.”
Statement from President Gay: There are some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students. Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic…
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 6, 2023
