Ivy League schools face a multimillion-dollar drop in their funding after they were criticized for failing to condemn Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel.
Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania were hit hardest by the backlash – a number of alumni called on the colleges to do better, while some cut their funding entirely.
Billionaire Ken Griffin called for Harvard to take a strong stance in defense of Israel and criticized students who defended the Hamas attack.
Former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. withdrew his support for UPenn after criticizing its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Based on current and past donations from those who oppose the colleges, the schools could suffer huge financial losses of $487 million because of their stance.
Griffin has committed $300 million to Harvard this year alone, but contacted the university’s chief executive to complain about President Claudine Gay’s tepid response.
Ken Griffin (pictured) pledged $300 million to Harvard but complained about the lack of response from President Claudine Gay
The Wexner Foundation withdrew its support entirely from the school after donating at least $56 million over 30 years
The latest blow to Harvard resulted in the Wexner Foundation completely withdrawing its support from the school after it had donated at least $56 million over 30 years.
In a statement, the foundation said it was “stunned and outraged” by Harvard’s failure to take a “clear and unequivocal stance against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians.”
Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia have resigned from Harvard University’s board of directors after previously donating $20 million to the school.
Forbes estimated her fortune at $20 billion, making her one of the 100 richest people in the world.
Unfortunately, our trust in the University’s leadership has been broken and we cannot continue to support Harvard and its committees in good faith,” the couple said in a statement.
“We condemn those who seek to blame the Israeli people for the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization Hamas.”
The backlash came after 34 Harvard student groups signed a letter blaming Israel for the massacre of Jewish people by Hamas.
It said: “We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime solely responsible for all the violence that is unfolding.”
Former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, who graduated from the university in 1987, also criticized the university and announced that he would stop donations from his families
His father, Huntsman Sr., donated $50 million to the school until his death in 2018. Jon said the foundation will close its checkbook to future donations
Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia have resigned from Harvard University’s board of directors after previously donating $20 million to the school
Posters depicting American and Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas hung at Harvard University with the words “kidnapped” written across the top
Over a dozen business leaders are joining the call to blacklist the students, as the group complains about being persecuted as a result.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman demanded the students be identified to ensure he and other CEOs wouldn’t hire them.
Ackman donated $17 million to Harvard in 2014, but his current stance of slamming the college for its lack of action implies no further funding will be provided.
Apollo CEO Marc Rowan has urged those who donate to the University of Pennsylvania to withdraw their funds or send just $1 in protest.
The college has been hit by calls to sack two senior staff members amid allegations they made “anti-Semitic” comments.
Rowan is a graduate of Wharton Business School at UPenn and, along with his wife, donated $50 million to Wharton in 2018.
Former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, who graduated from the university in 1987, also criticized the university and announced that he would stop donations from his families.
His father, Huntsman Sr., donated $50 million to the school until his death in 2018. Jon said the foundation will close its checkbook to future donations.
Pershing Square Capital Management CEO Bill Ackman (pictured) led the charge, naming the Harvard student organizations that issued a statement blaming Israel for the Hamas attack
Demonstrators take part in the “Emergency Rally: Stand with Palestinians under siege in Gaza” amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Saturday
Apollo CEO Marc Rowan has urged those who donate to the University of Pennsylvania to withdraw their funds or send just $1 in protest
Harvard University’s Palestine Solidarity Committee sparked outrage last week when it said Israel was “fully responsible for all the violence” despite Hamas killing women and children
In a letter to Penn President Liz Magill, Huntsman said Penn has fallen “deeply into the shadows in a way that makes it almost unrecognizable.”
“The university’s silence in the face of Hamas’ reprehensible and historic evil against the people of Israel (where the only response should be outright condemnation) is a new low,” he added.
“Silence is anti-Semitism, and anti-Semitism is hate, which is exactly what Higher Ed was created to prevent.”
Magill and Provost John L. Jackson earlier issued a statement on the Hamas attacks, while the university’s board of trustees chairman Scott Bok condemned the “atrocious terrorist attacks.”
In an updated statement following the backlash, Magill condemned Hamas and emphasized the university’s position on anti-Semitism.
She described Hamas’ violence as a “terrorist attack,” a change from her original statement.
Harvard President Claudine Gay (pictured) finally condemned Hamas’s “terrorist atrocities in Israel” – contradicting 34 student groups at the Ivy League institution that have pledged support for the militants
Pro-Palestine students march on the University of Massachusetts campus
JL Partners surveyed 1,000 Americans on October 10 and 12 about their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the deadly Hamas attack that killed at least 1,300 people
Dead bodies await burial in Gaza City after Israeli airstrikes
As chair of the Wharton School’s advisory board, Rowan last week called for the resignations of President Magill and Bok, citing the university’s handling of anti-Semitism on campus.
University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees Vice Chairwoman Julie Platt said in a statement that she stands behind Magill.
“The university has publicly committed to taking unprecedented steps to further combat anti-Semitism on its campus, reaffirming its deep support for our Jewish community and condemning Hamas’ devastating and barbaric attacks on Israel,” she said.
“The Executive Committee of the Penn Board of Trustees unanimously approved the actions taken by the University, and I have full confidence in the leadership of President Liz Magill and Chairman Scott Bok.”