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Anti-Semitism Comes to Harvard

(New York Sun) Lawrence H. Summers - During my presidency of Harvard 20 years ago I warned that "serious and thoughtful people are advocating measures that would be anti-Semitic in their effect if not their intent." In light of the resounding endorsement of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions by the Harvard Crimson, it is clear to me that anti-Semitism is being practiced in both intent and effect. Free expression must be sacrosanct in an academic community. Academic freedom, though, does not mean freedom from criticism or the right to have contemptible views treated with respect. It is no shield against moral bankruptcy. There is nothing "anti-First Amendment" about calling out anti-Semitism. Indeed, not identifying and attacking anti-Semitism in our midst would be a major moral failing, especially when it comes in conjunction with proposals to instrumentalize the university by having it engage in anti-Semitism. BDS crosses the line by singling out the world's only Jewish state for opprobrium in a way totally disproportionate to its deficiencies. The writer, former president of Harvard University, served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
2022-05-04 00:00:00
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