Harvard President Sparks Debate With Stance on Free Speech, Israel Boycotts
Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow has sparked debate with his stance on free speech and academic boycotts. His views, opposed by some students and faculty, centre around encouraging civil discourse and rejecting boycotts targeting Israel.
Bacow believes universities should foster debate on challenging topics, stressing civility and respect. This stance follows a recent editorial in the Harvard Crimson endorsing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The editorial, and Bacow's response, have sparked controversy.
Bacow opposes general boycotts of Israel and academic boycotts in principle, regardless of their target. He has not commented directly on the Crimson editorial but has previously expressed his views on BDS. Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz and former President Lawrence Summers have both criticized the editorial, with Dershowitz labeling it antisemitic due to its support for Israel's end.
Natalie L. Kahn, Associate News Editor for the Crimson and President of Harvard Hillel, penned an op-ed opposing the editorial. Kahn argued that the editorial lacks crucial context about Israel's history and the Palestinian Authority's actions. Despite Kahn's opposition, there's no record of an open letter published on May 6 opposing the BDS-supporting editorial.
The debate surrounding the Harvard Crimson's BDS editorial underscores the complex nature of free speech and academic discourse. While Bacow encourages open dialogue, his opposition to Israel boycotts has drawn criticism. The conversation continues, with students and faculty alike weighing in on the issue.
