SWC Welcomes Resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay

January 2, 2024

President Gay’s Failures are Part of Deeper Malaise Among America’s Elite Universities

The Simon Wiesenthal Center welcomes the resignation of Harvard University President Claudine Gay following Harvard’s response to anti-Semitism on the elite campus.

“Harvard University has a long way to go to make Jewish students feel safe,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director. “President Gay’s failures are symptomatic of deeper problems including anti-Semitism in many of America’s elite universities. Let’s hope they all open a new chapter based on justice and equality for all,” he added.

Immediately following the October 7th attacks in Israel, Harvard came under criticism as President Gay waited days before condemning the massacres while at the same time a broad coalition of dozens of student groups at Harvard denounced Israel.

Harvard University and other university campuses were recently listed as #6 on the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Top Ten list of worst anti-Semitic incidents for 2023 for legitimizing calls for the genocide of the Jewish people by officials of some of these elite campuses.

For further information contact the Center’s Communications department at pressinquiries@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).