Trump administration threatens to cancel all of Harvard University's federal funding
A Trump administration probe accused Harvard University on Monday of violating Jewish and Israeli students' civil rights.
Officials from the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism wrote in a letter to Harvard's president, Alan Garber, that the university violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Civil Rights Act prohibits federal funding to programmes or activities that discriminate based on race, colour or national origin.
The letter said Harvard 'has been in some cases deliberately indifferent, and in others has been a willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment of Jewish students, faculty, and staff'.
It also said that 'failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard's relationship with the federal government'.
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The letter comes amidst frayed relations between Harvard and the federal government, including the freezing of $2.3bn of Harvard's federal funds in April.
These funds represented a portion of the nearly $9bn in federal grants and contracts to Harvard that the Trump administration is reviewing.
Harvard University was hit with a $2.3bn federal funding freeze after the Ivy League institution took a stand against the Trump administration's ongoing demands.
The freeze, representing 35.9 percent of Harvard's $6.4bn operating expenses, immediately followed a letter in April from Harvard University lawyers to the Trump administration, stating that it rejected the government's demands.
Harvard and more than 150 universities fight back against Trump administration Read More »
The letter, issued by Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and LLP King & Spalding LLP, said that 'The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.'
Harvard president Garber also issued a public letter soon after, saying the university refused to capitulate to the Trump administration's demands 'to control the Harvard community' and threaten its 'values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production and dissemination of knowledge'.
Harvard rejected the government's demands, including reporting foreign students for code violations, reforming its governance and leadership, discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, and changing its hiring and admission policies, especially for international students.
The university also initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration in April and expanded that lawsuit in March, challenging the administration's moves to cut off billions of dollars in federal funding to the Ivy League school.
Student protests
Harvard's antisemitism allegations have primarily surrounded student protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
More than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's war on Gaza, which several countries, as well as many international rights groups and experts, now qualify as an act of genocide.
The Trump administration's letter said Harvard's pro-Palestine student encampment, one of the five in the Boston area, 'instilled fear in, and disrupted the studies of, Jewish and Israeli students'.
However, some Jewish students participated in and held Shabbat services at the encampment.
Harvard has previously attempted to address accusations of antisemitism by adopting a controversial definition of antisemitism that includes Zionism as a protected class and by reportedly dismissing faculty leaders at the university's Center for Middle Eastern Studies.
Harvard also suspended the student group, Palestine Solidarity Committee, in April.
According to Palestine Legal, an organisation that provides legal aid to pro-Palestine activists, these actions represent 'extreme censorship of pro-Palestinian speech - which is not required by federal civil rights law and actually risks violating the civil rights of Palestinian and associated students'.
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Middle East Eye
42 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Fuelling the ‘machinery of genocide': Morocco's backdoor support for Israel's war on Gaza
Passing by Morocco's ports, it is impossible not to notice Maersk dominating the shipping containers. The heavy presence of the Danish company in the North African country's harbours might not be overly intriguing, if the international logistics giant was not known for shipping military equipment to Israel amid its war on Gaza. Morocco has become a crucial location on the arms route that facilitates shipments of military cargo to Israel, especially through Maersk. This includes components of F-35 jets, which have fuelled Israel's attacks on Palestinians. A recent report by Declassified UK and the Irish investigative news outlet The Ditch delved into Morocco's role in transferring the components of F-35 fighter jets via Maersk. The report specified a shipment in April, saying the jet equipment set sail from the port of Houston, in the United States. Two weeks later, the US-flagged Maersk Detroit arrived in Tangier, Morocco, where the cargo was transferred onto another container ship named Nexoe Maersk. The shipment travelled through the Mediterranean Sea before arriving at the Israeli port of Haifa. The military cargo was then transported to the Nevatim air base, a key launchpad for the Israeli air force to bomb Gaza. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters When the allegations were made in April, public outrage in Morocco spread. Protesters turned out in the thousands at the ports of Casablanca and Tanger Med, while at least eight dock workers resigned over the contested Maersk shipments. There are conflicting reports regarding when similar cargos started to dock in the kingdom, but Moroccan ports became an attractive option on the transfer route after two Maersk cargos were prevented from docking in Spain in November due to suspicions that they were carrying weapons to Israel. Instead, they docked at the Tanger Med port, which also triggered protests in Morocco. Alejandro Pozo, researcher on peace, armed conflicts and disarmament at Centre Delas, told MEE that arms transfers to Israel via the Spain-Morocco route are considered 'regular traffic and have not stopped', according to the databases that the Spanish independent research centre has accessed. Amid the recent controversy, Maersk released a statement in March saying it 'upholds a strict policy of not shipping weapons or ammunition to active conflict zones, ensuring compliance with international regulations'. A Maersk representative also told Declassified UK that Maersk Detroit and Nexoe Maersk 'are carrying containers with F-35 parts. However, these shipments are destined for other countries participating in the F-35 programme'. The F-35 jets programme 'relies on a complex network of international partners and suppliers across multiple countries,' the Danish group added in June. 'Hiding behind wording' The company acknowledged however its contracts with the US government through the participation of its US-flagged subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited (MLL), in the Maritime Security Programme (MSP). This programme, which Maersk joined in 1996, requires companies to make ships available to the US authorities for a large sum of money to transport equipment for wars. Subsequently, the shipping company becomes a facilitator of the arms transfer process. 'Of course, a government can know what is inside a shipment container - if they want to know, that is' - Alejandro Pozo, researcher at Centre Delas Through Maersk's support of US policy, its contracts include shipping cargo to over 180 countries 'under security cooperation programs, including also the transportation of civilian and military-related cargo to Israel,' the company statement from March reads. Maersk told Danish outlet Danwatch that the voyages of its ships to Israel were 'not part of the MSP', but of another military programme under US authorities. However, a report by Centre Delas highlighted (in annex four) that vessels on the route were part of the MSP. In the annex, Delas listed the MSP shipments to help identify the vessels that are likely to transport weapons to Israel. According to the centre, MSP shipments that commonly stop in Morocco and southern Spain indicate the onward journey to Israel. For Pozo, the protests occurred for certain shipments because the information became public, not because they were the only occasions. Morocco has stayed silent on its involvement in arms transfers to Israel. For many observers, this silence itself on the topic is suspicious. 'Of course, a government can know what is inside a shipment container - if they want to know, that is,' Pozo told MEE. Israeli flag flies in Morocco during military drill, sparking indignation Read More » Those implicated in arms transfers 'hide behind wording', he added, for example saying 'military equipment or components'. The wording the expert mentioned is similar to the terminology Maersk uses in its statements. Pozo also emphasised that although the Spanish government had stopped three shipments, due to public pressure, 'Spain has not imposed any administrative measures, including sanctions against arms transfers to Israel'. MEE has contacted Maersk, the Moroccan Port Authority and the ministry of foreign affairs to find out their ethical stance on the matter considering the devastating impact that arms have in Gaza. MEE also wished to understand exactly the quantity of arms that Maersk is transporting via Morocco to Israel, why Morocco has become a key location on the route and for how long Maersk has been transferring arms to Israel via this specific route. No reply had been provided by the time of publication. Moroccan-Israeli interdependence The Palestinian Youth Movement said in November 2024 that Maersk 'shipped millions of pounds (lb) of military goods to the Israeli military from the US, across more than 2,000 shipments' over 12 months starting in September 2023. The majority of Israel's arms capacity results from imports, especially from the US, according to Zain Hussain, a researcher in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfers Programme. 'Israel is heavily reliant on arms imports for its war in Gaza and its military actions in other states in the region' - Zain Hussain, researcher at SIPRI Since taking office, the Trump administration has approved nearly $12bn in major foreign military sales to Israel. 'Israel is heavily reliant on arms imports for its war in Gaza and its military actions in other states in the region,' Hussain told MEE. 'Having reliable and secure routes of transfer of arms and components is incredibly important for Israel, and the support of certain states is key in making that happen,' he added. Pozo hypothesised why Morocco is a stable location on the arms transfer route via the Strait of Gibraltar. 'I can only assume one of the reasons is geographical location,' he said, adding Morocco's proximity to the US allows for 'efficiency in logistics and saving energy costs'. An alternative route would be to go around Africa and access via the Red Sea, a longer, more expensive, and dangerous itinerary, Centre Delas explained in its report. Morocco accused of using Israeli weapons to kill civilians in Western Sahara Read More » Another key factor, the researcher mentioned, is Morocco's dependence on Israel for military equipment, as illustrated by the kingdom's recent move to select Israel's Elbit Systems as one of its main weapons suppliers. Morocco normalised ties with Israel in December 2020 as the kingdom joined the Abraham Accords under President Donald Trump's first term, in exchange for the US and Israel recognising Moroccan claim of sovereignty over the contested region of Western Sahara. Since then, cooperation between the two countries has flourished, including in the military field. Morocco has been accused of using arms to support its ongoing conflict with the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement that is backed by neighbouring Algeria. 'Israel and the US know Morocco will cooperate, there is also the political aspect that the US recognised Western Sahara as part of Morocco, which adds another dimension to this cooperation,' Pozo said. 'Betrayal' Unlike Spain, Morocco did not stop some of its shipments when met with public protests. A Moroccan activist at the local branch of Amnesty International, who prefers to remain anonymous, told MEE how 'painful' it was for her 'to witness that [her] country is connected to the machinery of genocide in Palestine'. 'The public wants Morocco to cut ties with Israel and to take a firm, unapologetic stance against occupation and apartheid' - A Moroccan activist For the activist, resistance goes beyond politics, 'it's about our humanity and moral responsibility [...] Every bomb dropped, every child buried under rubble, should shake us to our core,' she said. 'The public wants Morocco to cut ties with Israel and to take a firm, unapologetic stance against occupation and apartheid,' she added. 'At Amnesty, we work to expose these violations and demand accountability. And I say this with love for my country but also with the courage to hold it accountable. We must demand transparency. We must speak up. Because silence in the face of genocide is not neutrality. It's betrayal.' She mentioned how there is a 'constant threat of repression' against pro-Palestinian activism in the kingdom, despite Morocco regularly releasing statements of support for the Palestinian cause. Morocco: Pro-Palestine activists denounce increased state repression Read More » Twenty activists have been arrested and sentenced to jail since 2021, according to data by the Moroccan Front for the Support of Palestine and Against Normalisation - a coalition that brings together some 20 associations, unions and political parties - and the number of arrests has been accelerating since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023. One expert from Carnegie, who wishes to remain anonymous, told MEE that 'despite the scale and visibility of protests, they have not yet led to a substantial shift in policy'. However, quoting a recent statement by the opposition Justice and Development Party (PJD) that reiterated 'the party's criticism of normalisation' and the necessity of a 're-alignment' of the kingdom with the overwhelming pro-Palestinian position of Moroccans, the expert outlined the possibility of a change to come. 'Public sentiment can have a constraining or cumulative effect, especially when it intersects with issues of domestic legitimacy, or fuels opposition discourse and mobilisation,' they said.
Gulf Today
an hour ago
- Gulf Today
UK police probe Bob Vylan's festival chants against Israeli military
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.K. politicians condemned the chants, saying there was no excuse for such "appalling hate speech.' Bobby Vylan of British duo Bob Vylan crowd surfing while performing on the West Holts Stage on the fourth day of the Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm in the village of Pilton in Somerset, south-west England. AFP Avon and Somerset Police said Bob Vylan's performance, along with that by Irish-language band Kneecap, were now subject to a criminal investigation and have been "recorded as a public order incident.' Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has inflamed tensions around the world, triggering pro-Palestinian protests in many capitals and on college campuses. Israel and some supporters have described the protests as antisemitic, while critics say Israel uses such descriptions to silence opponents. Ofcom, the UK's broadcasting regulator, said it was "very concerned' about the BBC livestream and said the broadcaster "clearly has questions to answer.' The BBC said earlier in its defense that it had issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language' during its livestream of Bob Vylan's act. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the visas for Bob Vylan's two members - who both use stage names for privacy reasons - have been revoked. "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,' Landau said in a social media post Monday. Starmer said the BBC must explain "how these scenes came to be broadcast.' Bob Vylan perform on the West Holts Stage, during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm. AP Bob Vylan, which formed in 2017, have released four albums mixing punk, grime and other styles with lyrics that often address issues including racism, masculinity and politics. In a statement posted on social media, singer Bobby Vylan said he was inundated with messages of both support and hatred. "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place,' he wrote. Bob Vylan performed on Saturday afternoon just before Kneecap, another band that has drawn controversy over its pro-Palestinian stance. Kneecap led a huge crowd in chants of "Free Palestine' at the festival. They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate' for Kneecap to play Glastonbury after one of its members was charged under the Terrorism Act. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year. On Saturday a member of the group suggested fans "start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance - though he then said "No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.' The BBC had already taken a decision not to broadcast Kneecap's Glastonbury performance live, though it did make available an unedited version of the set to its festival highlights page on BBC iPlayer service. The Israeli Embassy to the UK said over the weekend it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.' The acts were among among 4,000 that performed in front of some 200,000 music fans this year at the festival in southwest England. Hip hop duo Bob Vylan attend the 25th MOBO Awards in London, Britain November 30, 2022. File/Reuters Israel has faced heavy international criticism for its war conduct in Gaza. In May, the U.K., France and Canada issued a sharply worded statement calling for Israel to stop its "egregious' military actions in Gaza and criticizing Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank. More than 6,000 people have been killed and more than 20,000 injured in Gaza since Israel ended a ceasefire in March. Since the war began in October 2023 with a Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli attacks have killed more than 56,000 people and injured 132,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants, but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead. Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, accusing the militants of hiding among civilians, because they operate in populated areas. Associated Press
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
38 more killed as Israel steps up Gaza bombardment ahead of White House talks on ceasefire
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