Israeli Billionaire Idan Ofer Pulls Support For Harvard Over Response To Hamas Attacks

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and his wife Batia, who are significant supporters of Harvard University, have decided to quit their positions on the Harvard executive board in protest of how university leaders have responded to Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel.

“Unfortunately, our faith in the University’s leadership has been broken and we cannot in good faith continue to support Harvard and its committees,” the couple said in a statement to CNN.

Idan Ofer, one of the richest Israelis in the world with a fortune valued at nearly $20 billion according to Bloomberg’s billionaire index, said that “Our decision to resign from the board has been precipitated by the lack of clear evidence of support from the University’s leadership for the people of Israel following the tragic events of the past week, coupled with their apparent unwillingness to recognize Hamas for what it is, a terrorist organization.”

“With so much disinformation being spread by social media it is essential that the world’s great institutions speak with a clear and unequivocal voice at this critical time,” the Ofers added.

Earlier in the week a coalition of Harvard student groups issued a letter blaming Israel alone for the Hamas attacks, prompting severe criticism and calls not to hire the students signed on the letter.

Harvard did not comment on the resignation and criticism from the Ofers. The university instead pointed to a video statement released Thursday night by Harvard President Claudine Gay.

“People have asked me where we stand. So, let me be clear. Our university rejects terrorism — that includes the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by Hamas,” Gay said. “Our university rejects hate — hate of Jews, hate of Muslims, hate of any group of people based on their faith, their national origin, or any aspect of their identify.”

Gay added that Harvard “rejects the harassment or intimidation of individuals based on their beliefs” and “embraces a commitment to free expression.”

“That commitment extends even to views that many of us find objectionable, even outrageous. We do not punish or sanction people for expressing such views,” Gay said. “But that is a far cry from endorsing them.”

Gay is apparently continuing to walk the tightrope between denouncing the actions of Hamas and trying to equivocate a the same time and blame the acts on “hate of Muslims” as well as respecting students right to support Hamas atrocities.

After the anti-Israel statement was released, CEOs and business leaders including hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman called for the public release of the names of students linked to the organizations that backed the statement, stating that they would not be hired by him in the future.

An electronic billboard truck drove near Harvard’s campus on Wednesday, displaying the names and faces of students who apparently were linked to the statement.