Harvard Ignored Anti-Semitism Advisory Group Warnings, Congressional Investigation Finds

A congressional investigation has revealed that Harvard University failed to act on crucial recommendations from an anti-Semitism advisory group it established in the wake of Hamas' October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. This neglect has raised serious concerns about the university's commitment to combating anti-Semitism on its campus.

Findings of the Investigation

The House Education and the Workforce Committee began its investigation months after the attack, subpoenaing the university for more information. Harvard President Claudine Gay had announced the creation of the Antisemitism Advisory Group (AAG) in late October to address rising concerns about anti-Semitism. Despite her active participation in the group's meetings, the investigation found that the university made little effort to implement the group's recommendations.

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) condemned the inaction, stating, “The Committee’s report proves that former President Gay and Harvard’s leadership propped up the university’s Antisemitism Advisory Group all for show. Not only did the AAG find that antisemitism was a major issue on campus, it offered several recommendations on how to combat the problem — none of which were ever implemented with any real vigor."

Recommendations Ignored

The AAG’s recommendations were designed to create a safer environment for Jewish students and to address anti-Semitic behaviors on campus. Among the proposed actions were:

• Implementing a "zero tolerance" policy for classroom disruptions.

• Protecting shared learning environments.

• Holding student organizations accountable to university rules.

• Countering anti-Semitic speech.

• Reviewing the academic rigor of classes and programs with anti-Semitic content.

• Addressing the inadequacies of Harvard's Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEDIB) in handling anti-Semitism.

• Increasing intellectual diversity.

• Investigating potential "dark money" influences from Iran, Qatar, and associates of terrorist groups on campus.

Despite the urgency of these recommendations, the report found that Harvard's leadership largely ignored them, leading to frustration and threats of resignation from many AAG members.

Campus Climate

The report highlighted specific incidents where masked anti-Semitic protesters created an intimidating environment for Jewish students. These incidents underscored the need for immediate action to protect students and uphold the university's commitment to a safe and inclusive campus.

Conclusion

The findings from the House Education and the Workforce Committee paint a troubling picture of inaction and neglect by Harvard’s administration. As one of the nation’s leading institutions, Harvard's failure to address anti-Semitism head-on raises critical questions about its priorities and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

This revelation calls for renewed scrutiny and accountability measures to ensure that universities do not merely pay lip service to combating hate but take tangible steps to protect all students. Share this article to spread awareness about the critical issues of anti-Semitism in higher education, and consider subscribing to our newsletter for ongoing updates.