'Pathetic': Harvard's pro-Palestine faculty under fire after 'antisemitic' cartoon post ruffles feathers

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CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS: A storm of controversy has erupted at Harvard University after a faculty group advocating for Palestinian rights shared an offensive cartoon containing anti-Semitic depictions on its Instagram account, as per the New York Post.

The post, which was deleted after sparking outrage, showed a decades-old cartoon with a Jewish figure hanging black and Arab men. The incident marks the latest flare-up regarding antisemitism at the elite institution, which has struggled to heal divides despite repeated pledges to ensure inclusion.

Harvard faculty group removes offensive cartoon after backlash

The post, which was removed shortly after the backlash began, showed a 1967 cartoon with a Jewish figure hanging black and Arab men. It was shared by the newly formed organization Harvard Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine as part of a post about how "African people have a profound understanding of apartheid and occupation."

Rabbi David Wolpe, a scholar at Harvard Divinity School who resigned from the school's anti-Semitism advisory committee in December of 2023, brought attention to the post, writing on X, "This was posted today by 'Harvard faculty and staff for justice in Palestine.' The cartoon is despicably, inarguably anti-Semitic. Is there no limit?"

As anger mounted online, the Harvard faculty group deleted the post and posted an apology reading in part: "It has come to our attention that a post featuring antiquated cartoons which used offensive antisemitic tropes was linked to our account. We removed the content as soon as it came to our attention. We apologize for the hurt that these images have caused and do not condone them in any way."

Cartoon latest in string of antisemitism incidents at Harvard

The controversial cartoon is just the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents causing turmoil at one of America's most prestigious universities.

Last month, Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned following disastrous Congressional testimony where she failed to take a stance against growing reports of antisemitism on campus.

Her resignation came after months of escalating tensions sparked by a report by Jewish students detailing harassment and discrimination they have faced at Harvard. Student groups supporting the Palestinian cause were accused of contributing to a climate where Jewish students felt unsafe.

Internet erupts with condemnation directed at Harvard following controversial cartoon

In response to the controversial cartoon posted by the Harvard Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, social media erupted with a wave of condemnation directed at the prestigious university.

One X user expressed their dismay, stating, "Sickening." Another user took a more critical tone, branding Harvard with the phrase, "@Harvard is poison ivy." A third individual voiced their disappointment, declaring, "@Harvard has become truly pathetic!"

The sentiment was further emphasized by someone who exclaimed, "Jayzus! @Harvard needs to do some urgent house cleaning!"

The disapproval extended to a fifth user who lamented, "Steadily losing any respect I once had for Harvard." A sixth user, reflecting on the incident, commented, "Just when you think they can’t sink any lower…"

 

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.