Harvard University Forms Task Forces to Address Antisemitism and Islamophobia Amid Rising Campus Tensions

The move follows the resignation of former president Claudine Gay and comes amidst ongoing investigations into the university's handling of antisemitism.

Harvard University's interim president, Alan Garber, has announced the formation of two new task forces to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus. This decision follows the resignation of former president Claudine Gay, who faced criticism for her handling of antisemitism and allegations of plagiarism.
The task forces have been created in response to rising tensions on campus following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Reports of antisemitic and Islamophobic acts have increased, and the sense of belonging among these groups has been undermined.
The antisemitism task force will be led by Derek Penslar, a professor of Jewish history, and Raffaella Sadun, a professor of business administration. The task force on anti-Arab bias and Islamophobia will be led by Wafaie Fawzi, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, and Asim Ijaz Khwaja, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Harvard has been under intense scrutiny over its handling of antisemitism, with two investigations in the US House of Representatives and a lawsuit filed by Jewish students alleging that the university has failed to address rising antisemitism on campus.
Meanwhile, a group of 67 Harvard faculty and staff members have formed a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, Faculty for Justice in Palestine, calling for Harvard to withdraw investments from Israel and companies that they claim sustain Israeli apartheid and human rights abuses against Palestinians.

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