Alumni, students, donors, advocates and politicians are offering harsh criticism over this week’s testimony of three college presidents before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, according to numerous media reports. The presidents of Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania were called to Capitol Hill for a hearing on the rise of antisemitism on campus. 
 
At issue is the apparent failure of the presidents to clearly state that calling for the genocide of Jewish people violated their campus policies.
 
Even White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew commented: “It’s unbelievable that this needs to be said: calls for genocide are monstrous and antithetical to everything we represent as a country. Any statements that advocate for the systematic murder of Jews are dangerous and revolting—and we should all stand firmly against them, on the side of human dignity and the most basic values that unite us as Americans.”
 
Since the hearing, the presidents of both Harvard and Penn have issued clarifying statements:
 
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill issued a statement: “There was a moment during yesterday’s congressional hearing on antisemitism when I was asked if a call for the genocide of Jewish people on our campus would violate our policies,” Magill said. “In that moment, I was focused on our University’s longstanding policies aligned with the U.S. Constitution, which say that speech alone is not punishable. I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. It’s evil—plain and simple.”
 
Harvard University President Claudine Gay issued a statement through the university’s X account:  “There are some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students. Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account.”
 
Below is a sampling of the media coverage:
 
President Magill Reiterates Commitment to Combat Antisemitism During Congressional Hearing
Penn Today.com (December 7, 2023)
 
The Fallout: What the Antisemitism Hearing Could Mean for Higher Education
Inside Higher Ed (December 7, 2023)
 
After President’s Remarks on Antisemitism, Penn Should Consider Her Future, the State’s Governor Says
The Chronicle of Higher Education (December 7, 2023)
 
College Presidents Under Fire After Dodging Questions About Antisemitism
The New York Times (December 7, 2023)
 
Harvard, Penn and MIT Presidents Ignite Furor With 'Unacceptable' Response to Antisemitism
USA Today (December 7, 2023)
 
Harvard's President Answers Backlash Over Response to Calls for 'Genocide of Jews'
ABC News.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Penn President Liz Magill Is Facing Criticism From Gov. Shapiro, White House and Others for Comments at a Congressional Hearing on Antisemitism
The Philadelphia Inquirer (December 7, 2023)
 
University Presidents’ Responses to Genocide Question at Congressional Hearing Draw Furor
The Boston Globe (December 7, 2023)
 
Harvard, Penn and MIT Presidents Under Fire Over ‘Despicable’ Testimony on Antisemitism and Genocide
CNN.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Harvard, Penn Heads Walk Back Genocide Answers After Backlash
Bloomberg.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Documentary Fuels Academic Freedom Debates
Inside Higher Ed (December 7, 2023)
 
Harvard Alumni Rebuke Its Israel Response With Mere $1 Donations
Bloomberg.com (December 4, 2023)
 
 
Stop Scolding Student Protestors - Commentary
The Chronicle of Higher Education (December 7, 2023)