Harvard Suspends Research Partnership with Birzeit University

Harvard University has announced a pause in its research partnership with Birzeit University in the West Bank, following public pressure from pro-Palestinian activists and scrutiny over campus antisemitism. This decision aligns with calls from students and alumni, including former Harvard President Larry Summers, to sever ties with institutions perceived as supporting terrorism, particularly after the October 7 attack by Hamas. The Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance has labeled Birzeit as 'terrorist-supporting,' citing instances of campus support for Hamas. The Harvard School of Public Health is conducting an internal review of the partnership, which has led to the suspension of the agreement with Birzeit's François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights. This pause comes amidst increased federal scrutiny of antisemitism on college campuses, with the Department of Education investigating several universities, including Harvard. Moving forward, Harvard plans to strengthen its ties with Israel while assessing its collaborations.