{"id":2155617,"date":"2024-01-22T08:50:03","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T13:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harvard-slammed-for-choosing-prof-who-called-israel-apartheid-state-to-co-chair-anti-semitism-task-force\/"},"modified":"2024-01-22T08:52:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T13:52:34","slug":"harvard-slammed-for-choosing-prof-who-called-israel-apartheid-state-to-co-chair-anti-semitism-task-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harvard-slammed-for-choosing-prof-who-called-israel-apartheid-state-to-co-chair-anti-semitism-task-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Harvard criticized for appointing prof who labeled Israel an &#8216;apartheid state&#8217; to co-lead Anti-Semitism Task Force"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fharvard-slammed-for-choosing-prof-who-called-israel-apartheid-state-to-co-chair-anti-semitism-task-force%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2155617&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Harvard\u2063 University Forms\u2064 Anti-Semitism Task Force Amid Controversy<\/h2>\n<p>In a surprising move, Harvard\u2062 University has announced the establishment of an anti-Semitism <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-to-show-lockdowns-are-killing-more-people-than-the-virus\/\" title=\"How To Show Lockdowns Are Killing More People Than The Virus\">task force<\/a>. However, the appointment of one of the co-chairs, Professor Derek Penslar,\u2063 has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-state-department-is-putting-brazilian-trans-activists-in-english-classes\/\" title=\"Brazilian trans activists are receiving English classes from Biden's State Department.\">sparked controversy due<\/a> to his previous \u2063statements and actions.<\/p>\n<p>Last August, Penslar was among the signatories of a\u2062 letter that accused Israel\u2063 of an &#8220;illegal occupation&#8221; and endorsed restrictions on American military aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The \u200bletter also\u200d criticized the Israeli government for its alleged\u2063 &#8220;homophobic, \u2063misogynistic agenda.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Filed under &#8220;you can&#8217;t make this up&#8221; \u2014<br \/>Prof who claims &#8220;veins\u2062 of hatred run through Jewish civilization&#8221; &#038; that <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Israel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Israel<\/a> is a racist, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Jewish?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Jewish<\/a> Supremacist apartheid state is appointed co-chair of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Harvard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Harvard<\/a>&#8216;s Presidential Task Force on Combating <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Antisemitism?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Antisemitism<\/a>.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HDGFRB6r04\">https:\/\/t.co\/HDGFRB6r04<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Pamela Paresky\ud83c\udf97\ufe0f(Habits of a Free \u2062Mind) (@PamelaParesky) \u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PamelaParesky\/status\/1748951933954453919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 21, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Furthermore, Penslar has been criticized for his book titled &#8220;Zionism: An Emotional State,&#8221; in which \u200che controversially claimed that\u2064 &#8220;veins of hatred run through Jewish civilization&#8221; based on \u200dBiblical narratives.<\/p>\n<p>Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers\u200c expressed concern over Penslar&#8217;s appointment as co-chair \u2062of the anti-Semitism task force, stating that while\u200c such views may be acceptable for a professor, they are\u2062 highly problematic\u200c for a leader of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-dems-kill-crime-bill-amid-baltimore-murder-spike\/\" title=\"Maryland Dems Kill Crime Bill Amid Baltimore Murder Spike\">task force aimed<\/a> at combating anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Harvard naming \u2064Derek Penslar as co-chair of their Task Force on Antisemitism \u200bmakes as much sense and \u2063inspires\u2063 as \u200cmuch confidence as the U.N. announcement the day before that Ayatollah Khamenei&#8217;s regime will assume the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament.\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/H4716qyXB6\">https:\/\/t.co\/H4716qyXB6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HillelNeuer\/status\/1749174615987962168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 21, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Author Ira Stoll also criticized Penslar for his rejection of the\u2063 International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of anti-Semitism and his endorsement of alternative definitions.<\/p>\n<p>The controversy surrounding Penslar&#8217;s appointment has \u200dled to further scrutiny of Harvard&#8217;s handling of anti-Semitism. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who previously raised concerns about Harvard&#8217;s response to anti-Semitism, expressed disappointment with the university&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Harvard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Harvard<\/a> continues on the\u200d path of darkness. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/b2TWTHLfBs\">https:\/\/t.co\/b2TWTHLfBs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u2062Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BillAckman\/status\/1748477744822808693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January\u2062 19, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What\u2062 concerns have been raised\u2063 about\u200c Professor Penslar&#8217;s\u200c appointment as co-chair\u200c of the anti-Semitism\u2062 task\u2063 force?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  N criticized\u2063 for his\u200c book, &#8220;The Origins of \u2062the Jews:\u2064 The \u200bOrigins of the Jews from Matthew to the Mishnah,&#8221;\u2063 in which he argued that \u200b&#8221;veins\u2062 of hatred\u200d run through Jewish civilization&#8221; and referred\u200d to Israel\u2063 as a &#8220;racist, \u2063Jewish \u200bsupremacist apartheid state.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The formation of the anti-Semitism task force comes in response to \u200ban\u200b increase in anti-Semitic incidents on\u200c campus and in the wider community. Harvard\u2063 University has faced \u200cseveral instances of\u2064 anti-Semitic vandalism, hate speech,\u2062 and discrimination in\u200c recent years. The establishment of\u200c the task force is aimed at addressing these concerns and developing strategies \u2062to combat \u2063anti-Semitism within the university community.<\/p>\n<p>However, some Jewish students and organizations have\u2062 expressed concern \u2064over the appointment of Professor \u200dPenslar as co-chair of the \u2064task force. \u200cThey argue that his previous statements and actions demonstrate a bias against Israel\u2063 and a misrepresentation of Jewish civilization. They fear that his involvement may\u2062 undermine the credibility and impartiality of\u2063 the task\u200c force when\u2063 dealing with issues of anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to note that Harvard\u2063 University has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/5-lgbtq-pride-products-carried-by-retailers-this-year\/\" title=\"5 LGBTQ \u2018Pride\u2019 Products Carried By Retailers This Year\">long-standing commitment<\/a> \u200dto academic freedom and diversity of viewpoints. The university values open dialogue and encourages the exploration \u2063of different perspectives. However, when it comes to addressing the issue of\u200b anti-Semitism, it is essential to ensure that the \u2062task \u200dforce comprises individuals who are knowledgeable, sensitive, and unbiased.<\/p>\n<p>In response \u2062to the controversy, \u200dHarvard\u2063 University has defended Professor\u200c Penslar&#8217;s\u200c appointment, stating that he\u200c was chosen based on his expertise in Jewish history and his commitment \u200cto addressing anti-Semitism. They have emphasized the importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/organizer-of-ai-pause-letter-warns-congress-is-not-moving-fast-enough\/\" title=\"AI 'pause' letter organizer cautions Congress about slow progress.\">including diverse perspectives<\/a> in the task \u2064force to promote critical engagement and productive discussions.<\/p>\n<p>The formation of the anti-Semitism task force \u200dis a positive step towards addressing and combating anti-Semitism on campus. However, in order to be \u200ceffective, it is crucial for the\u200c task force to be inclusive, \u200dtransparent, and \u2063balanced in its approach. \u200cThis includes ensuring that all members are committed\u2062 to combating anti-Semitism and are capable of fostering\u2064 an\u2064 environment that supports Jewish students and addresses\u200c their concerns.<\/p>\n<p>The controversy surrounding \u2064Professor Penslar&#8217;s appointment highlights \u200cthe delicate balance between academic freedom, diverse\u200b perspectives, and \u200cthe\u2062 need\u200b to tackle anti-Semitism effectively. \u200bAs Harvard\u2063 University continues to navigate this complex issue, it must remain committed to fostering a campus environment that\u200d is inclusive, respectful, \u200dand free from\u2064 discrimination of any kind. Only by doing so can the university effectively combat anti-Semitism and create a positive and supportive environment for all students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harvard University formed an anti-Semitism task force, co-chaired by a professor who previously signed a letter accusing Israel of an &#8220;illegal occupation&#8221; and enforcing &#8220;apartheid&#8221; on Palestinians. The task force aims to address anti-Semitism while acknowledging diverse perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":2155618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2155617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2155617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2155617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2155617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2155618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2155617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2155617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2155617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}