'Terrorist enabling': Harvard slammed for reinstating pro-Palestinian protesters in deal to end encampment

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS: Harvard University's decision to strike a deal with pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied the iconic Harvard Yard for nearly three weeks has sparked a firestorm of controversy and online backlash.

The prestigious institution found itself at the center of a heated debate after agreeing to reinstate suspended students and explore the potential establishment of a Center for Palestine Studies on campus, as per The Daily Beast.

Harvard University's deal with pro-Palestinian protesters paves way for potential divestment from Israel

According to Harvard spokesperson Jonathan Swain, the agreement reinstated students suspended during the demonstrations and paved the way for discussions about a potential divestment from Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

These discussions would be attended by Harvard's interim president, Alan Garber, and the dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, Hopi Hoekstra.

The coalition behind the encampment, Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP), declared in a statement that it had democratically decided to end its encampment after 20 days. As part of the resolution, Harvard has agreed to contemplate the establishment of a Center for Palestine Studies within the university.

Previously, HOOP stated that over 20 students were suspended during the protests, with an additional 60 facing various disciplinary measures.

The organization, in an Instagram post announcing the conclusion of the demonstration, stated, "We are under no illusions. We do not believe these meetings are divestment wins. These side-deals are intended to pacify us away from full disclosure and divestment. Rest assured, they will not."

The announcement came after the encampment faced mounting challenges as the campus prepared for the summer break. With most students leaving for the summer, the demonstration's size had dwindled significantly.

The closure of nearby dorms and the Lamont Library had deprived protesters of access to bathrooms, forcing them to resort to using kitty litter. Furthermore, the university's restrictions on campus access between semesters had also restricted protesters' ability to enter Harvard Yard with their student ID badges in recent days.

Harvard University attracts criticism online in wake of deal with Gaza protesters

The news of Harvard's deal with the protesters sparked a wave of criticism and outrage on social media platforms. On Facebook, one user commented, "Time to repeal tax payer grants to these terrorist enabling universities."

Another user remarked, "This is why places like Harvard are a joke and whose reputation is declining. All they have done is to ensure such protests will occur yet again." A third user criticized, "The woke idiotic liberals at Harvard caved to the pro terrorism insurrectionists students who spew antisemitic hate, death to Israel, and death to Jews."

Turning to X, someone else quipped, "Reach a deal what joke. Harvard is less appealing than a community college." Another user lamented, "Capitulating to the racists and leftist lunatics. Harvard is done."

Another user interpreted, "Translated: Harvard surrendered to the claims of terrorist supporters and is now officially spreading hamas and hezbollah propaganda." Another user compared, "Harvard is a sewer that needs to be replaced. Waste is leaking everywhere. (negotiating w/ terrorists...really?)."

And finally, one user concluded, "Harvard is lost. The way to deal with losers is to shun them. Never ever engage in negotiations with entitled trash. This is Psychology 101. If you reward poor behaviour, you get more of it."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.