During a House committee hearing on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., demanded Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay respond to calls for “intifada,” or the “genocide of Jews” on the Ivy League campus.
Stefanik cited multiple instances of Harvard students chanting, “There is only one solution. Intifada, Revolution,” and, “globalize the intifada,” since Hamas\’ October 7 massacre and Israel\’s counteroffensive in Gaza that followed.
Gay admitted she had heard the term before and said, “That type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me.” However, when pressed by Stefanik if those sorts of remarks were against Harvard University’s code of conduct, she deflected, stating that the university embraces a commitment to free expression, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, and hateful.
Stefanik cited a report stating that Harvard ranked “dead last” when it comes to freedom of speech on college campuses in America and asked what action will be taken specifically against “students who are harassing and calling for the genocide of Jews on Harvard\’s campus?”
Gay said she could not go into details of any ongoing actions due to privacy concerns.
Unable to get a clear answer from Gay, Stefanik concluded by asking what the number one hate crime in America is.
Gay responded that it is anti-Jewish hate crimes.
“And Harvard ranks the lowest when it comes to protecting Jewish students,” Stefanik said. “This is why I’ve called for your resignation and your testimony today, not being able to answer with more clarity speaks volumes.”