Harvard University has come under fire after hiring Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, a Divinity School graduate who was criminally charged with assaulting an Israeli student during an anti-Israel protest following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack. Despite a year-long legal battle and calls from the Trump administration for his expulsion, Tettey-Tamaklo now serves as a full-time graduate teaching fellow at the Ivy League institution.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, Tettey-Tamaklo was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery for his actions during a “die-in” protest in October 2023, where video captured him confronting an Israeli classmate. He was ultimately ordered by the court to undergo anger management training and complete 80 hours of community service.
During the proceedings, the Trump administration demanded that Harvard expel all students involved in the October 18 assault, stating that compliance was a condition for the restoration of federal funds. Harvard appeared to take minimal action at the time, removing Tettey-Tamaklo from a proctor position due to “student discomfort,” but stopped short of further sanctions.
Tettey-Tamaklo’s LinkedIn profile confirms his new role began in August 2024. The position includes advising faculty on academic subjects and curriculum design. Reports suggest he may receive up to $11,000 in stipend payments for the fellowship.
This isn’t the first instance of Harvard shielding students involved in anti-Israel activism. Ibrahim Bharmal, a Harvard Law graduate also charged with assault at the same protest, received a $65,000 fellowship through the Harvard Law Review. Despite pending charges, Harvard allowed Bharmal to blog about his positive experience and use his fellowship to work at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Yoav Segev, the Israeli student attacked during the protest, has filed a federal lawsuit against Harvard. The suit accuses the university of using “misleading tactics, obfuscation, and misrepresentations” to prevent him from accessing justice through administrative channels.
Further complicating the issue, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office accused Harvard of obstructing its investigation. Prosecutors claim the university refused to cooperate, slowed the legal process, and prevented the identification of other participants in the attack.
The controversy has renewed scrutiny of Harvard’s handling of anti-Israel demonstrations and its repeated failure to discipline students facing serious criminal charges. Critics argue that Harvard continues to prioritize political narratives over campus safety and accountability.
