The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused a wave of controversy on American college campuses, with a recent incident at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) drawing particular attention. Israeli doctoral student Liyam Chitayat publicly criticized MIT President Sally Kornbluth's testimony before Congress, in which Kornbluth suggested that calls for an intifada or genocide of the Jews would only violate the MIT's code of conduct. university if they are directed at people, not when they are made as public statements.
Chitayat, a doctoral student in computational and systems biology, voiced her concerns at the New England Holocaust memorial in Boston. He questioned the university's “obsession with context” and asked when it would be appropriate to harass Jewish students or staff. His remarks come amid growing pressure on MIT and Harvard to remove their presidents, following the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill.
During a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee, the leaders of UPenn, Harvard and MIT were questioned about the rise of anti-Semitism on their campuses in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas. They struggled to state clearly that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate conduct policies. That prompted 74 House members to send a bipartisan letter to the governing boards of the three universities, urging them to take immediate action to remove their respective presidents.
Chitayat also shared his personal experiences, recounting how he spent hours worrying about a friend in Israel who was hiding in a bomb shelter. He expressed disappointment at the reaction of MIT students and staff, who he said celebrated the conflict. Chitayat also criticized the removal of posters featuring Israeli children held hostage by Hamas, which were considered “Zionist propaganda”.
In a scathing conclusion, Chitayat addressed Kornbluth and Harvard University President Claudine Gay directly, questioning their moral compass and their defense of terrorist sympathizers. He declared that the Jewish community would continue to defend its identity, culture and existence, stating: “We will not look away. And we will not take the back door. We are strong. We are united now and forever. Never again is now “.
In response to these incidents, the House committee has launched a congressional investigation into the three institutions, which may include “substantive document requests” and possible subpoenas for information not readily provided.
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