The ongoing Harvard antisemitism scandal intensified this week after the House Education and Workforce Committee revealed Harvard president Alan Garber privately blamed a Jewish student for his own assault. In a text message to Harvard Business School dean Srikant Datar, Garber claimed the student’s filming “appears provocative.”
The student, Yoav Segev, was shoved and harassed during an October 2023 anti-Israel “die-in” protest. Rather than condemning the assault, Garber discouraged Datar from issuing a community message, warning that “MENA [Middle Eastern and North African] students … will be very upset by it.” The committee, led by Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY) and Tim Walberg (MI), demanded answers on Harvard’s handling of multiple incidents that “may contribute to a hostile antisemitic environment on campus.”
The controversy coincided with the Trump administration’s announcement that it will begin proceedings to suspend and debar Harvard from federal funding, accusing the university of violating Title VI by ignoring harassment of Jewish and Israeli students. Stefanik and Walberg noted Harvard rewarded Segev’s assailants with prestigious roles, including a $65,000 fellowship and a class marshal position, even as they faced criminal charges.
Harvard also drew scrutiny for allegedly obstructing a local investigation, refusing to cooperate with prosecutors seeking a follow-up inquiry. Despite a diversion program requiring anger management and community service, both attackers graduated in good standing.
The congressional letter warned Harvard’s failures have fueled a dangerous environment for Jewish students. As Stefanik and Walberg concluded, Harvard must explain whether it has implemented the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism—because, they argued, “another complication” cannot excuse looking away from hatred.
