Harvard Students Slam Israel, Alumni Fume

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Global Recap
October 10, 2023 • Read in: 6 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

We are back to our normal format today. I hope you are all caught up with what’s happening in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas.

This doesn’t mean we are done talking about the conflict. In fact, we have a big controversy regarding Harvard Student orgs solely blaming Israel for everything.

🌐 Here’s what’s up around the world:

  • 🎮 Fake War Videos Go Viral on X.

  • 🇨🇳 Chinese People Blast Israel and US on Social Media.

  • 🍖 Biden Throws BBQ Party While Americans Held Hostage by Hamas.

  • 🏠 Country Garden on the Brink of Collapse.

  • 👨‍🎓 Harvard Students Slam Israel, Alumni Fume.

Let’s get into today’s news.

📈 Top News

🎮 Fake War Videos Go Viral on X. Some trolls and clout-chasers are using clips from a video game called Arma 3 to deceive social media users about the conflict in Gaza. The game is so realistic that even some state media and politicians have fallen for it.

Remember when I warned you about misinformation from both sides? This is why we can’t have nice things.

🇨🇳 Chinese People Blast Israel and US on Social Media. Chinese internet users are expressing their support for Palestine and their anger toward Israel and the US on Weibo (the Chinese version of Twitter).

Get this. They have accused Israel of being a “Nazi state.”

Really? Israel is a “Nazi state?”

No, this is not an AI image.

🍖 Biden Throws BBQ Party While Americans Held Hostage by Hamas. Biden faced backlash from right-wing figures for hosting a barbecue at the White House amid the horrifying Israel-Palestine conflict. They accused him of being insensitive and irresponsible while Hamas terrorists captured and killed Americans and Israelis.

Biden expressed sympathy and support for Israel but did not cancel his picnic as it was a “long-scheduled event.”

🏠 Country Garden on the Brink of Collapse. The largest private property developer in China warns that it cannot pay its offshore debts, joining the ranks of defaulting real estate giants. The company faces a liquidity crisis and a possible restructuring, as it seeks help from advisers and creditors.

This is terrible news for the Chinese economy and the millions of homebuyers who are waiting for their properties to be delivered. I hope they can find a way out of this mess.

✍️ In-Depth

United States
Harvard Students Slam Israel, Alumni Fume

🎓 Harvard Students vs. Israel. A group of 34 student organizations at Harvard University issued a statement on Saturday blaming Israel for the Hamas terrorist attack.

But that’s not all.

Harvard Alumni responded with fury.

📜 The Statement. The students expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people and accused Israel of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes.

“We […] hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”

From the student statement

🔥 The Backlash. The statement sparked outrage among some of Harvard’s prominent alumni, who denounced it as abhorrent and heinous. They also criticized the university’s leadership for not responding to the statement or defending Israel. Some of the alumni who spoke out included:

  • Lawrence Summers: a former US Treasury secretary and Harvard president, who said he was “sickened” by the statement and the silence of the university

  • Elise Stefanik: a Republican congresswoman from New York, who called the statement “anti-Semitic.”

  • Ted Cruz: a Republican senator from Texas and Harvard Law School graduate, who asked: “What the hell is wrong with Harvard?”

🤐 The Response. The university’s president, Claudine Gay, and other senior officials issued a statement on Monday that expressed their sympathy for the victims of the conflict and their support for a peaceful resolution. However, they did not directly address the student statement or the alumni reaction.

“We write to you today heartbroken by the death and destruction unleashed by the attack by Hamas that targeted citizens in Israel this weekend, and by the war in Israel and Gaza now under way.”

From Harvard University’s statement

🌎 The Implications. The student statement reflects a growing trend of pro-Palestinian activism on US college campuses, especially among young and progressive students. This wave of activism is not just a ripple, but a sign of deepening divides over Israel among Americans. The conflict isn’t confined to the US; it’s sparking global protests and clashes, stoking fears of wider regional instability and a surge in anti-Semitism.

👀 What’s Next. The statement and the backlash could have implications for Harvard’s reputation, fundraising, and relations with other institutions and stakeholders.