Who is the president of MIT? Institute blasted for refusing to suspend students who threatened Jews over fears they'd be deported
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS: MIT is under fire after its President, Sally Kornbluth, disclosed that the institute refrained from suspending students involved in an unauthorized anti-Israel protest due to concerns over potential deportations.
The revelation comes in response to a demonstration organized by the 'Committee Against Apartheid', breaching university regulations by taking place at 'Lobby 7', a high-traffic area on MIT's campus, as per Daily Mail.
At no point during the protest were students unable to get to class. Here’s MIT police directing passing students around to the cleared sides of Lobby 7, and another view.
— Francesca Riccio-Ackerman (@still_francesca) November 12, 2023
The only time when movement through Lobby 7 specifically was restricted was when MIT shut it down for ALL… pic.twitter.com/KOns0u8WH1
Anti-Israel protesters receive partial suspension due to fear of deportation
The protest initiated at 8 am on November 9, drew the attention of Jewish and Israeli students who arrived for a counter-protest. President Kornbluth acknowledged in a statement that the situation escalated, leading to "serious concerns that it could lead to violence."
After unsuccessful attempts to de-escalate, MIT informed protesters of a suspension threat unless they vacated the lobby within a set time.
However, Kornbluth disclosed, "Because we later heard serious concerns about collateral consequences for the students, such as visa issues, we have decided, as an interim action, that the students who remained after the deadline will be suspended from non-academic campus activities."
This partial suspension will undergo evaluation by an ad-hoc complaint response team to determine the final resolution.
Statement acknowledges that some protest organizers aren't American
MIT, like many prestigious US institutions, hosts a significant number of international students. With ongoing anti-Israel protests across American campuses following the recent conflict in the Middle East, speculations have arisen about the citizenship of protest leaders.
President Kornbluth's statement marks the first time a US university openly acknowledged that some protest organizers are not American, raising questions about the broader implications of such international activism on campus.
What percentage of the student protesters who support Hamas are not U.S. citizens?
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 12, 2023
Why do we want them taking the place of American citizens at our most prestigious universities? https://t.co/aAFBqpv9rJ
Concerns at MIT over the safety of its Jewish and Israeli students
In response to the demonstration and similar protests on MIT's campus, 'The MIT Israel Alliance and its Supporters' expressed concerns about the repeated harassment of Jewish students by the 'Committee Against Apartheid'.
The group claimed the administration's silence exacerbated the situation, leaving Jewish and Israeli students feeling unsafe. Allegedly, Jewish students were even advised to avoid the main lobby on November 9 due to safety concerns.
Meanwhile, a video circulated showing a student disrupting a math class, condemning Israel's actions, and encouraging a walkout. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman criticized MIT for a 'failure of leadership' in handling such disruptions, emphasizing the impact on the learning environment.
In a parallel development, Columbia University announced the suspension of two anti-Israel organizations, 'Students for Justice in Palestine' and 'Jewish Voice for Peace', for violating school rules with unsanctioned protests. The move reflects a broader trend of universities taking action against groups involved in controversial demonstrations.