The president of Harvard University, Claudine Gay, announced yesterday, Tuesday, that she was stepping down from her position after being subjected to pressure and criticism for considering the demonstrations against Israel on campus to fall within the scope of “freedom of expression.”
Gay said in a statement that she submitted her resignation so that the controversy surrounding her person would not “cause harm to the university.”
She indicated that she made her decision so that the university could continue its goals away from the recent controversies.
She added, “It has become clear that it is in Harvard’s best interest for me to resign, so that the university can overcome this very difficult stage by focusing on the institution rather than the individual.”
Gay emphasized that there is no place for hate crimes on campus.
American media reported that Gay was subjected to strong reactions, especially from pro-Tel Aviv circles, after she evaluated the protests against Israel at the university within the scope of “freedom of expression.”
The pressure on Gay increased after she answered questions from members of Congress during a session on December 5.
Last week, American media reported allegations about “the theft of some of her previous academic works.”
It is noteworthy that, on December 5, the Congressional Education and Workforce Committee summoned Gay, the President of the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Magill, and the President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sally Kornbluth, to the session “Holding University Presidents Accountable.” and combating anti-Semitism.”
Gay, Magill and Kornbluth were pressured and criticized to resign because they refused to consider the protests against Israel as anti-Semitic.
More than 500 Harvard faculty members have signed a petition in support of the university president.
