Harvard Law Student Stands by Controversial Statement, Thanks Anti-Israel “Community” for Support
Harvard Law student Israa Alzamli (Harvard Law School)
The Harvard Law School student behind the infamous statement that held Israel “entirely responsible” for Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack is speaking out, saying in an interview that she stands by the statement and will not condemn the Iran-backed terror group.
Israa Alzamli, a third-year student who served as a research assistant at Harvard’s Islamic Law program, was one of the main authors of the statement signed by dozens of Harvard student groups in the wake of the attack, she revealed in an interview with the Boston Globe. While many of those student groups rushed to disassociate themselves from the statement, Alzamli is standing by it—and crediting the anti-Israel “community” at Harvard for supporting her.
“I feel really lucky that there’s a community here of people that have been really supporting me,” Alzamli told the Globe. She also refused to condemn Hamas, saying she is “not there to decide what means of resistance are acceptable.”
Alzamli’s interview sheds light on the origins of the statement that started a firestorm at Harvard.
That statement, issued on Oct. 8, held ”the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence” and said the “apartheid regime is the only one to blame.” The rhetoric brought condemnation from federal lawmakers and prominent donors, many of whom slashed their donations in response. Then-Harvard president Claudine Gay went on to face questions over the statement during her disastrous congressional testimony, which fueled calls for her resignation. Members of Harvard student groups that signed the statement also saw job offers rescinded.
For Alzamli, those reactions were “maddening.” The statement, Alzamli told the Globe, merely meant to explore “the circumstances that led people to do certain things that are horrific.” Alzamli’s reaction to the attack, however, tells a different story. The Harvard student celebrated Hamas’s assault on the Jewish state in a text she sent to her fiancé on the morning of Oct. 7, saying, “Gaza literally broke out of prison.”
Alzamli, who did not return a request for comment, is a member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, the anti-Israel activist group that released the Oct. 8 statement. Born in Saudi Arabia to Gazan parents, she grew up in the Chicago area, where she emerged as a self-described “Palestinian liberation” activist at an early age.
“[My parents] instilled in me to remember my land and to know where I was from,” she told the Globe, adding that she was “showing pictures of blown up babies since I was in fourth grade.” Alzamli has since escalated the tactics behind her anti-Israel advocacy—in November, she confronted Senator Elizabeth Warren at a restaurant in Cambridge, urging the Massachusetts Democrat to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Warren obliged days later.
In her interview with the Globe, Alzamli also dismissed criticism of the phrases, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and, “Globalize the intifada,” which call for the eradication of the Jewish state and terrorism against Jews, respectively. ”I don’t know if my entire family will be wiped out,” she said, “and people are over here debating if ‘from the river to the sea’ is a call to genocide.”
Alzamli’s ultimate goal, she said in the interview, is to “end the occupation” and erode U.S. support for Israel.
“Living in America, you are a citizen of this country’s number one ally, number one supporter, number one financial benefactor,” Alzamli said. “You have the power to make this a voting issue.”
How did Israa Alzamli’s controversial statement about Israel’s accountability for violence and oppression in the region impact her relationship with Harvard and its community?
Standing by the controversial statement was a matter of principle. She believes that Israel should be held accountable for the violence and oppression occurring in the region, and she refuses to condemn Hamas as a resistance group. Alzamli credits the support she has received from the anti-Israel community at Harvard for giving her the strength to stick to her beliefs.
The interview with Israa Alzamli provides insight into the background of the statement that caused such a stir at Harvard. Issued on October 8, the statement blamed the Israeli regime entirely for the unfolding violence and labeled it an apartheid regime. These words ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing criticism from federal lawmakers and prominent donors who decided to withhold their financial support. Then-Harvard President Claudine Gay faced scrutiny for her handling of the statement during her congressional testimony, and there were calls for her resignation. Students who had signed the statement also faced consequences, with job offers being rescinded.
Alzamli’s unwavering stance on the statement highlights the deep divide among students and faculty at Harvard when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While some believe that Israel should be held responsible for the violence and injustices suffered by the Palestinian people, others argue that Hamas’s actions should not be overlooked or excused. The controversy surrounding the statement reflects the ongoing debate over Israel’s policies and the role of resistance groups in the region.
Critics of Alzamli argue that her refusal to condemn Hamas is a betrayal of the values of academic discourse and intellectual honesty. They claim that her position disregards the violent nature of Hamas and its history of targeting innocent civilians. Proponents, on the other hand, see her stand as a brave affirmation of the right to dissent and support for oppressed communities.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Israa Alzamli, it is evident that her actions and the statement she helped create have had far-reaching consequences. The incident has sparked debates about academic freedom, freedom of speech, and the limits of political activism on college campuses. Harvard has been forced to confront these issues head-on, and the fallout from the statement continues to reverberate throughout the university.
As the controversy persists, it is essential to remember that diverse perspectives and open dialogue are vital for fostering a productive learning environment and for the pursuit of truth. While the statement has been divisive, it has also prompted crucial discussions about justice, accountability, and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through respectful engagement and a commitment to understanding can progress be made in addressing these deeply rooted issues.
Israa Alzamli’s interview and her unwavering commitment to her beliefs bring to light the challenges faced by students when engaging in controversial topics. It serves as a reminder that discourse and dissent should be valued and protected, even when opinions diverge sharply. The Harvard Law student’s stance may be unpopular among many, but it is a testament to the power of conviction and the importance of standing up for what one believes in, no matter the consequences.
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