Harvard University students hosting anti-Hamas speaker Mosab Hassan Yousef for a lecture last week were informed that protesters would be allowed up to 10 minutes to disrupt the event before being removed.
“Speech is privileged in the University community,” the Harvard student hosting the event read. “If any disruption occurs that prohibits speech the disrupters will be allowed for up to 10 minutes.”
Yousef, known as the “Green Prince,” worked with the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet, helping to prevent terrorist attacks. His father, Sheikh Hassan Yousef, is a co-founder of Hamas.
Earlier this summer, a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of allowing an antisemitic environment to flourish on its campus moved forward, according to a decision by District Judge Richard Stearns.
The ruling came in the wake of allegations stemming from Harvard’s response to campus events which plaintiffs claim led to harassment of Jewish students.
“The protests occasionally turned confrontational and even physically violent, leading to legitimate concerns among plaintiffs about future incidents. This harassment marred the campus experience for these students, leading to instances where they avoided campus areas, missed classes, and withdrew from extracurricular activities,” stated Judge Stearns, citing the impact on students’ lives.
He raised doubts about Harvard’s defense that its actions were in protection of free speech, hinting that relying solely on the First Amendment might not exempt the institution from its responsibilities under Title VI.
Harvard’s defense that it balanced free speech with its obligations under Title VI is yet to be scrutinized fully, as Stearns pointed out the need for a more substantial record to evaluate Harvard’s claim of upholding free speech in this context.
In response, Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton remarked, “While the Court dismissed the claim that Harvard engaged in direct discrimination, it remains premature to resolve other claims at this stage,” expressing confidence that further revelations will demonstrate Harvard’s equitable conduct and concern for its Jewish and Israeli students.
