In November 2024, about a dozen students at an anti-Israel rally protested an event with former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Ronen Manelis, organizing in front of Harvard University's Hillel and chanting, "Zionists not welcome here." 

In March 2025, a man tore down a poster raising awareness of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas at Harvard. Harvard immediately placed the man on administrative leave and terminated his employment the next day. The administration also sent a message to the Harvard community denouncing the incident and expressing its commitment to addressing hate. That same month, the Harvard Law School student government voted to call on the University to divest from Israel. Harvard Law School administrators rejected the vote, calling it “needlessly divisive” and “deeply disappointing."

In November 2025, a Harvard Crimson columnist declared it “justifiable” to end friendships with Zionists. Harvard Chaplains from across many faiths worked together to write a rebuttal to this opinion piece, which was published by the Crimson. That same month, a majority of undergraduates who responded to a Harvard Undergraduate Association survey reported believing Harvard should divest from and disclose investments in “companies and institutions operating in Israel." The divestment survey question was not a referendum by the undergraduate student government, but rather a standard process through which any student group can have a question posed to the student body.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In the Fall of 2023, then-President Gay wrote in an email to students, “phrases such as ‘from the river to the sea’ bear specific historical meanings that to a great many people imply the eradication of Jews from Israel and engender both pain and existential fears within our Jewish community.”

Following a 3-week encampment organized by anti-Israel protestors and discussions with Harvard University officials regarding how the encampment disrupted the education environment on campus, the protestors agreed to end the encampment. The University announced that it would address questions about the endowment and promptly initiate applicable reinstatement proceedings for all individuals who had been placed on involuntary leaves of absence, while also asking disciplinary boards to expeditiously evaluate the cases of those students who participated in the encampment. However, in May 2024, some protestors were announced to have been blocked from attending graduation. Harvard responded to student demands for divestment by stating that Harvard would not be divesting from investments related to Israel nor participating in any boycotts of Israeli institutions. 

In June 2024, the Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism released its preliminary recommendations, dedicated to stimulating short-term action. In April 2025, the Task Force released a Report of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, leading the University to commit to implementing a number of the task force’s recommendations to address the issues suggested by the report. Harvard regularly provides public updates on the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. Information on Harvard’s implementation of the recommendations can be found on the Task Force’s website. Beyond the operations of the Task Force, Harvard’s administration has participated in relevant programs offered by Brandeis University, ADL, Hillel International, Project Shema, and other organizations. 

In August 2024, the University announced, and the Harvard Corporation endorsed, updated Campus Use Rules that clarified and strengthened existing regulations, publishing in one place clear guidelines that are intended to facilitate awareness of community expectations, productive use of space, and appropriate enforcement of policies. These guidelines state that, when asked by a university administrator or a Harvard University Police Department officer, community members must show identification and remove any face coverings if asked to do so to facilitate identification. 

Ahead of the fall 2025 semester, Harvard assigned a new, required e-learning module to all students, staff, faculty, and researchers that provides comprehensive information about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy and other policies, which explicitly reference antisemitism. The training covers the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The University also offers multiple initiatives designed to promote civil discourse, including dedicated constructive dialogue modules, relevant conference programming, and faculty trainings on how to promote healthy classroom dialogue on divisive topics. Furthermore, the Constructive Disagreement Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School is building a research-backed online module that will help students practice productive disagreement. Orientation programs were restructured to include an emphasis on pluralism and constructive dialogue. 

In January 2025, Harvard issued guidance clarifying that its Non-Discrimination Policy uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of antisemitism and considers the examples accompanying the IHRA definition to the extent that those might be useful in determining discriminatory intent. In Spring 2025, the University provided training on this guidance to those who receive and review complaints under the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies. 

In addition, Harvard launched a multifaith calendar to support scheduling efforts that accommodate the University’s diverse religious community. Harvard has also launched a Presidential Building Bridges Fund and a Presidential Interfaith Initiative to promote understanding, civil dialogue, and harmony across religious and political difference.

Furthermore, Harvard College has implemented a Classroom Social Compact, outlining expectations for classroom behavior to advance academic freedom, engagement of a range of viewpoints, and a vibrant learning environment. In April 2025, President Garber committed to accelerating the work to establish a University-wide initiative to promote and support viewpoint diversity. Simultaneously, admissions processes across Harvard look for students who have experience with civil discourse, 

Harvard College has also expanded Kosher dining options to have hot meals available in multiple locations for lunch and dinner. The University subsidizes Kosher dining and is exploring ways to expand the program further. In addition, Harvard has expanded its collaborations with Israeli institutions, including an exchange program with Ben Gurion University, a collaboration with the University of Haifa, and hosting postdoctoral fellows and medical students through the Kalaniyot program at Harvard Medical School. 

In August 2025, Harvard announced the creation of the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR), which works with the Harvard community to foster an environment free from discrimination, interpersonal violence, and the impacts of such harm. CSNDR is comprised of three key teams and has created two new positions – a University Title VI Coordinator and a Deputy Title VI Coordinator and Case Manager – to consult on complaints of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. 

In November 2024, about a dozen students at an anti-Israel rally protested an event with former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Ronen Manelis, organizing in front of Harvard University's Hillel and chanting, "Zionists not welcome here." 

In March 2025, a man tore down a poster raising awareness of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas at Harvard. Harvard immediately placed the man on administrative leave and terminated his employment the next day. The administration also sent a message to the Harvard community denouncing the incident and expressing its commitment to addressing hate. That same month, the Harvard Law School student government voted to call on the University to divest from Israel. Harvard Law School administrators rejected the vote, calling it “needlessly divisive” and “deeply disappointing."

In November 2025, a Harvard Crimson columnist declared it “justifiable” to end friendships with Zionists. Harvard Chaplains from across many faiths worked together to write a rebuttal to this opinion piece, which was published by the Crimson. That same month, a majority of undergraduates who responded to a Harvard Undergraduate Association survey reported believing Harvard should divest from and disclose investments in “companies and institutions operating in Israel." The divestment survey question was not a referendum by the undergraduate student government, but rather a standard process through which any student group can have a question posed to the student body.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In the Fall of 2023, then-President Gay wrote in an email to students, “phrases such as ‘from the river to the sea’ bear specific historical meanings that to a great many people imply the eradication of Jews from Israel and engender both pain and existential fears within our Jewish community.”

Following a 3-week encampment organized by anti-Israel protestors and discussions with Harvard University officials regarding how the encampment disrupted the education environment on campus, the protestors agreed to end the encampment. The University announced that it would address questions about the endowment and promptly initiate applicable reinstatement proceedings for all individuals who had been placed on involuntary leaves of absence, while also asking disciplinary boards to expeditiously evaluate the cases of those students who participated in the encampment. However, in May 2024, some protestors were announced to have been blocked from attending graduation. Harvard responded to student demands for divestment by stating that Harvard would not be divesting from investments related to Israel nor participating in any boycotts of Israeli institutions. 

In June 2024, the Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism released its preliminary recommendations, dedicated to stimulating short-term action. In April 2025, the Task Force released a Report of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, leading the University to commit to implementing a number of the task force’s recommendations to address the issues suggested by the report. Harvard regularly provides public updates on the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. Information on Harvard’s implementation of the recommendations can be found on the Task Force’s website. Beyond the operations of the Task Force, Harvard’s administration has participated in relevant programs offered by Brandeis University, ADL, Hillel International, Project Shema, and other organizations. 

In August 2024, the University announced, and the Harvard Corporation endorsed, updated Campus Use Rules that clarified and strengthened existing regulations, publishing in one place clear guidelines that are intended to facilitate awareness of community expectations, productive use of space, and appropriate enforcement of policies. These guidelines state that, when asked by a university administrator or a Harvard University Police Department officer, community members must show identification and remove any face coverings if asked to do so to facilitate identification. 

Ahead of the fall 2025 semester, Harvard assigned a new, required e-learning module to all students, staff, faculty, and researchers that provides comprehensive information about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy and other policies, which explicitly reference antisemitism. The training covers the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The University also offers multiple initiatives designed to promote civil discourse, including dedicated constructive dialogue modules, relevant conference programming, and faculty trainings on how to promote healthy classroom dialogue on divisive topics. Furthermore, the Constructive Disagreement Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School is building a research-backed online module that will help students practice productive disagreement. Orientation programs were restructured to include an emphasis on pluralism and constructive dialogue. 

In January 2025, Harvard issued guidance clarifying that its Non-Discrimination Policy uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of antisemitism and considers the examples accompanying the IHRA definition to the extent that those might be useful in determining discriminatory intent. In Spring 2025, the University provided training on this guidance to those who receive and review complaints under the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies. 

In addition, Harvard launched a multifaith calendar to support scheduling efforts that accommodate the University’s diverse religious community. Harvard has also launched a Presidential Building Bridges Fund and a Presidential Interfaith Initiative to promote understanding, civil dialogue, and harmony across religious and political difference.

Furthermore, Harvard College has implemented a Classroom Social Compact, outlining expectations for classroom behavior to advance academic freedom, engagement of a range of viewpoints, and a vibrant learning environment. In April 2025, President Garber committed to accelerating the work to establish a University-wide initiative to promote and support viewpoint diversity. Simultaneously, admissions processes across Harvard look for students who have experience with civil discourse, 

Harvard College has also expanded Kosher dining options to have hot meals available in multiple locations for lunch and dinner. The University subsidizes Kosher dining and is exploring ways to expand the program further. In addition, Harvard has expanded its collaborations with Israeli institutions, including an exchange program with Ben Gurion University, a collaboration with the University of Haifa, and hosting postdoctoral fellows and medical students through the Kalaniyot program at Harvard Medical School. 

In August 2025, Harvard announced the creation of the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR), which works with the Harvard community to foster an environment free from discrimination, interpersonal violence, and the impacts of such harm. CSNDR is comprised of three key teams and has created two new positions – a University Title VI Coordinator and a Deputy Title VI Coordinator and Case Manager – to consult on complaints of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. 

In November 2024, about a dozen students at an anti-Israel rally protested an event with former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Ronen Manelis, organizing in front of Harvard University's Hillel and chanting, "Zionists not welcome here." 

In March 2025, a man tore down a poster raising awareness of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas at Harvard. Harvard immediately placed the man on administrative leave and terminated his employment the next day. The administration also sent a message to the Harvard community denouncing the incident and expressing its commitment to addressing hate. That same month, the Harvard Law School student government voted to call on the University to divest from Israel. Harvard Law School administrators rejected the vote, calling it “needlessly divisive” and “deeply disappointing."

In November 2025, a Harvard Crimson columnist declared it “justifiable” to end friendships with Zionists. Harvard Chaplains from across many faiths worked together to write a rebuttal to this opinion piece, which was published by the Crimson. That same month, a majority of undergraduates who responded to a Harvard Undergraduate Association survey reported believing Harvard should divest from and disclose investments in “companies and institutions operating in Israel." The divestment survey question was not a referendum by the undergraduate student government, but rather a standard process through which any student group can have a question posed to the student body.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In the Fall of 2023, then-President Gay wrote in an email to students, “phrases such as ‘from the river to the sea’ bear specific historical meanings that to a great many people imply the eradication of Jews from Israel and engender both pain and existential fears within our Jewish community.”

Following a 3-week encampment organized by anti-Israel protestors and discussions with Harvard University officials regarding how the encampment disrupted the education environment on campus, the protestors agreed to end the encampment. The University announced that it would address questions about the endowment and promptly initiate applicable reinstatement proceedings for all individuals who had been placed on involuntary leaves of absence, while also asking disciplinary boards to expeditiously evaluate the cases of those students who participated in the encampment. However, in May 2024, some protestors were announced to have been blocked from attending graduation. Harvard responded to student demands for divestment by stating that Harvard would not be divesting from investments related to Israel nor participating in any boycotts of Israeli institutions. 

In June 2024, the Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism released its preliminary recommendations, dedicated to stimulating short-term action. In April 2025, the Task Force released a Report of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, leading the University to commit to implementing a number of the task force’s recommendations to address the issues suggested by the report. Harvard regularly provides public updates on the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. Information on Harvard’s implementation of the recommendations can be found on the Task Force’s website. Beyond the operations of the Task Force, Harvard’s administration has participated in relevant programs offered by Brandeis University, ADL, Hillel International, Project Shema, and other organizations. 

In August 2024, the University announced, and the Harvard Corporation endorsed, updated Campus Use Rules that clarified and strengthened existing regulations, publishing in one place clear guidelines that are intended to facilitate awareness of community expectations, productive use of space, and appropriate enforcement of policies. These guidelines state that, when asked by a university administrator or a Harvard University Police Department officer, community members must show identification and remove any face coverings if asked to do so to facilitate identification. 

Ahead of the fall 2025 semester, Harvard assigned a new, required e-learning module to all students, staff, faculty, and researchers that provides comprehensive information about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy and other policies, which explicitly reference antisemitism. The training covers the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The University also offers multiple initiatives designed to promote civil discourse, including dedicated constructive dialogue modules, relevant conference programming, and faculty trainings on how to promote healthy classroom dialogue on divisive topics. Furthermore, the Constructive Disagreement Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School is building a research-backed online module that will help students practice productive disagreement. Orientation programs were restructured to include an emphasis on pluralism and constructive dialogue. 

In January 2025, Harvard issued guidance clarifying that its Non-Discrimination Policy uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of antisemitism and considers the examples accompanying the IHRA definition to the extent that those might be useful in determining discriminatory intent. In Spring 2025, the University provided training on this guidance to those who receive and review complaints under the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies. 

In addition, Harvard launched a multifaith calendar to support scheduling efforts that accommodate the University’s diverse religious community. Harvard has also launched a Presidential Building Bridges Fund and a Presidential Interfaith Initiative to promote understanding, civil dialogue, and harmony across religious and political difference.

Furthermore, Harvard College has implemented a Classroom Social Compact, outlining expectations for classroom behavior to advance academic freedom, engagement of a range of viewpoints, and a vibrant learning environment. In April 2025, President Garber committed to accelerating the work to establish a University-wide initiative to promote and support viewpoint diversity. Simultaneously, admissions processes across Harvard look for students who have experience with civil discourse, 

Harvard College has also expanded Kosher dining options to have hot meals available in multiple locations for lunch and dinner. The University subsidizes Kosher dining and is exploring ways to expand the program further. In addition, Harvard has expanded its collaborations with Israeli institutions, including an exchange program with Ben Gurion University, a collaboration with the University of Haifa, and hosting postdoctoral fellows and medical students through the Kalaniyot program at Harvard Medical School. 

In August 2025, Harvard announced the creation of the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR), which works with the Harvard community to foster an environment free from discrimination, interpersonal violence, and the impacts of such harm. CSNDR is comprised of three key teams and has created two new positions – a University Title VI Coordinator and a Deputy Title VI Coordinator and Case Manager – to consult on complaints of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.