Billionaire Israeli Harvard University board members Idan Ofer and his wife Batia Ofer quit their posts amid the Israel-Hamas conflict citing that they have lost their faith in the universitys leadership. They have criticised the schools response to the Hamas attacks on Israel.Ofer and his wife Batia cited “the lack of clear evidence of support from the universitys leadership for the people of Israel” in stepping down from the Harvard Kennedy School Deans Executive Board.“Our faith in the universitys leadership has been broken and we cannot in good faith continue to support Harvard and its committees,” the Ofers said in a statement.“We denounce those who seek to place blame on the people of Israel for the atrocities committed by the terrorist organisation, Hamas,” the Ofers said.Israeli billionaires Idan and Batia Ofer donated more than $20 million to the last capital campaign of the Harvard Kennedy School. Now, theyve just announced they are QUITTING the schools board after Harvards “shocking” response to Hamass mass butchery of Israeli civilians.…— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 13, 2023 Harvard Student statements hold Israel responsibleA coalition of 30 students had released a statement solely blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks which created a row of controversy at the University. The statement landed the students in trouble as many condemned their support.However, some of the students said that they had no idea about the statement they were signing and distanced themselves from the letter.Harvard University President Claudine Gay also released a statement saying no student group – not even 30 student groups – speaks for Harvard University or its leadership.”Billionaire Bill AckmanBillionaire hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman has also asked for the University to disclose the names of the students who had signed the statement and said that he wants them blacklisted.“One should not be able to hide behind a corporate shield when issuing statements supporting the actions of terrorists,” Ackman said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.Idan Ofer is the son of shipping billionaire Sammy Ofer, who was once Israels richest man and died in 2011, according to Forbes.
