Earlier today, philanthropists Idan and Batia Ofer announced their resignation from the executive board of the Harvard Kennedy School, expressing disappointment with the school's response to recent Hamas attacks on Israel as reported by the Boston Globe. The couple voiced their discontent in a letter from their family foundation, specifically criticizing the university's leadership for not designating Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The Ofers' departure followed a controversial letter issued by approximately 30 Harvard student organizations, who solely pinned blame for the recent Israeli-Palestinian crisis on the Israeli government. The student letter rallied for denying the Israeli government's actions as being responsible towards the violence according to NDTV, an action which exacerbated the Ofer couple's choice to abandon the executive board.
Criticism for Harvard's handling of the situation has not remained confined to the Ofers. Various parties, including alumni and former President Larry Summers, have condemned the response from the current Harvard President Claudine Gay as "delayed" as reported on NDTV. Following the backlash, President Gay condemned Hamas in a video message released on the same day, and pledged Harvard's stand for free expression and rejection of hate as noted in a CNN report.
The Ofers' resignation thrusts a considerable impact to the university. Their close involvement with the Harvard Kennedy School will leave a significant gap, notably its executive board chaired by billionaire David Rubenstein. The board, populated by high-profile business and philanthropic leaders, delivers advice to the dean and is the university's primary source of financial backing according to CNN.
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