University donors withdraw funds due to anti-Israel protests. Why no outrage over BLM?
Major university donors have recently taken a stand against antisemitism in higher education. These donors, who had previously supported pro-Palestine allies of Black Lives Matter during the riots that terrorized cities across the country three years ago, are now closing their pocketbooks in response to the far-left radicalism that has infiltrated universities. The exposure of this radicalism came after pro-Palestine activists stood in solidarity with Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Jews.
One of the first donors to take action was former Utah Gov. and U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, whose family has donated millions of dollars to the University of Pennsylvania. Huntsman sent a letter to the school’s president, announcing that the Huntsman Foundation will “close its checkbook” due to UPenn’s silence following the Hamas attack. Hedge fund billionaire Cliff Asness and venture capitalist David Magerman also followed suit, ending their donations to the university.
Harvard University also faced donor backlash when over 30 student groups blamed Israel for the attack. The university’s response, or lack thereof, drew criticism from prominent alumni such as Sen. Mitt Romney and former GOP Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. The Wexner Foundation and Hogan both withdrew their financial support from the school.
But where were these billionaires and politicians when Black Lives Matter activists were burning down American communities? It seems they were nowhere to be found. In fact, Mitt Romney was even seen marching with them.
Black Lives Matter Is America’s Hamas
The destruction caused by the 2020 summer of rage amounted to approximately $2 billion. While some have labeled the right as the “American Taliban,” a more accurate comparison would be to describe Black Lives Matter as America’s Hamas. The Washington Post documented the growing solidarity between #BlackLivesMatter and Palestinian activists back in 2015. BLM activists even went on a mission to the Palestinian territories that year and emerged more convinced of the shared challenges of their struggles.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the Chicago Black Lives Matter chapter celebrated the Hamas massacre on social media. However, this was not an isolated incident. BLM activists have consistently shown support for Palestine and have protested on behalf of the Palestinian cause. The group’s ideological alliance with Palestinian revolutionaries has been extensively covered by Politico and National Public Radio.
While these universities are now being criticized for their sympathies towards Hamas, they have also been staunch defenders of the Black Lives Matter movement. Statements of commitment to BLM can be found across their websites. It seems that some of the same elites who are now taking a stand against antisemitism were championing BLM along with corporate America. The hypocrisy is glaring.
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What specific actions led major university donors to withdraw their financial support in response to the rise of antisemitism in higher education?
This article discusses the recent response of major university donors to the rise of antisemitism in higher education. These donors, who had previously supported pro-Palestine allies of the Black Lives Matter movement during riots that occurred three years ago, have now taken a stand against the far-left radicalism that has infiltrated universities.
The exposure of this radicalism came after pro-Palestine activists stood in solidarity with Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for the attack on Israel on October 7, which tragically resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Jews.
One of the first donors to take action was former Utah Governor and U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, whose family has donated millions of dollars to the University of Pennsylvania. Huntsman sent a letter to the school’s president, announcing that the Huntsman Foundation will “close its checkbook” due to UPenn’s silence following the Hamas attack. This decision reflects the donor’s concern over the university’s lack of response to such a significant event.
Hedge fund billionaire Cliff Asness and venture capitalist David Magerman were also among those who decided to end their donations to the University of Pennsylvania in response to the university’s silence. This shows that the issue of antisemitism in higher education is not being taken lightly by these major donors, as they are using their financial influence to express their disappointment and disagreement with the university’s actions.
Harvard University also faced donor backlash when over 30 student groups blamed Israel for the attack. This reveals a troubling trend of automatically attributing blame to Israel without considering the complexity of the situation. It is important to separate the Israeli government from Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, and not paint all Israelis as responsible for the actions of a few.
Antisemitism in higher education is not a new issue, but the response of major donors is significant. These donors have the power to influence universities by providing substantial financial support, and their decision to withhold funding highlights their concern over the rise of radicalism and the lack of appropriate response from academic institutions.
It is crucial for universities to address and combat all forms of discrimination on campus, including antisemitism. Promoting an environment of inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for all students, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, should be a top priority for academic institutions.
In conclusion, the recent response of major university donors to antisemitism in higher education sends a strong message to academic institutions. These donors’ decision to withdraw financial support demonstrates their concern over the rise of radicalism and the failure of universities to appropriately address these issues. It is imperative for universities to take action and create an environment that fosters inclusivity and respect, ensuring that all students feel safe and supported on campus.
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