'Defund Harvard' over failure to combat anti-Semitism, says GOP

Claudine Gay said it «depends on the context»; when asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate Harvard's policies on intimidation and harassment. Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

The Republican Party has called for Harvard to be defunded due to its failure to combat anti-Semitism on campus.< /p>

The Ivy League university risks losing billions of dollars in federal grants and tax breaks after its president, Claudine Gay, testified before Congress and refused to confirm whether anti-Semitic rhetoric would be sanctioned.

p>More than 70 senators, as well as Harvard donors and alumni called on Ms. Gay to resign, but Harvard's board decided that she would remain in her post.

Now Elise Stefanik, the congresswoman who has questioned university presidents about anti-Semitism on campus, has said the US government must defend Harvard because Ms. Gay refuses to resign.

“We must defend the rot in American higher education » Ms. Stefanik said. “It is unacceptable and un-American that taxpayer money goes to universities to support the propaganda of anti-Semitism by supporting professors, students and staff, many of whom openly call for the genocide of the Jews.”

Harvard receives many federal benefits and tax breaks due to its elite status. These include benefits for capital gains tax, bond payments, corporation tax and dividend income tax.

President Harvard's Claudine Gay is in the spotlight following her appearance at a congressional hearing last week. Photo: AP/Stephen Stone

The institution receives more than $2 billion in virtually tax-free investments and $676 million in federal government grants.

It also has tax-deductible donation status, making it a viable option for charitable donations from wealthy individuals. individuals and graduates. The gifts bring his endowment to just under $51 billion.

Ms. Gay, who is the first black person to serve as Harvard's president, came under fire last week after testifying before Congress, which calls for The Jewish genocide can only be seen in the context of the university's policies of intimidation and harassment «depending on the context.»

Amid widespread calls for her resignation, Ms. Gay apologized for her remarks, acknowledging that «words matter » and she «failed to communicate what [her] truth was.»

Similar comments by Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania, led to her resignation on Saturday amid pressure from donors who said, that they will refuse to participate in the program. their funding if she remains in office.