Seven members of Northwestern University’s President’s Advisory Committee on Preventing Anti-Semitism and Hate announced they were resigning Wednesday following the school’s response to anti-Israel protests earlier this week.
In a letter obtained by the North West Dailyprofessors Efraim Benmelech, Martin Eichenbaum, Daniel Greene and Philip Greenland, Weinberg College senior Lily Cohen, Hillel executive director Michael Simon and trustee Paula Pretlow informed NU President Michael Schill that they would withdraw from the committee with immediate effect.
The letter cited as a primary factor Schill’s decision to broker a deal between administrators and campus anti-Israel protesters without consulting the committee.
“It is essential that the University develop appropriate and timely recommendations to respond and prevent anti-Semitism and hatred“, the letter reads. “However, in light of University leadership’s decision not to use the committee for its stated purpose, we can no longer continue to serve in this role.”
Students and residents camp outside Northwestern University during a pro-Palestinian protest, expressing solidarity with Palestinians with banners in Evanston, Illinois, the United States, April 27, 2024. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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In a statement to Fox News Digitalthe school confirmed the members’ resignation.
“The University is disappointed that some members of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Anti-Semitism and Hate have decided to step down. The mission and work of the Committee remains extremely important to our community. Our commitment to protecting Jewish students, faculty and staff is unwavering. The University has no tolerance for anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim behavior,” the statement read.
He continued: “We will continue to work with all members of the Committee – including members who have resigned – and with other Jewish members of our community, to ensure that the vital goals of this Committee continue. »
On Monday, as part of a deal with anti-Israel agitators, the university accepted to reestablish the Investment Accountability Advisory Committee to answer questions from “any internal stakeholders” about the school’s financial holdings and allow “peaceful protests” consistent with campus policy to continue on campus until on June 1st.
Members cited the university’s decision to negotiate with campus protesters without consulting them. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The university also committed to “providing immediate temporary space for Muslim students in the MENA region,” “supporting visiting Palestinian faculty and at-risk students,” and “advising employers not to rescind offers of employment of students engaging in speech protected by the First Amendment.”
In return, protesters must remove all but one humanitarian tent and request permission to install noise amplification devices. The school also emphasized that only students, faculty and staff are allowed to protest on campus.
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Schill announced the Advisory Committee to Combat Growing Anti-Semitism on Campuses in November. The committee included 16 members from faculty, students, administrators and trustees.
Northwestern University created a committee to investigate anti-Semitism on campus in November. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
As the committee began its work in January, the advocacy group Alumni for Campus Equity (ACF) criticized the fact that it had expanded its mission “not only to stem the growth of anti-Semitism but also hatred directed against other groups such as our students of Palestinian origin.”
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ACF also opposed the appointment of Dean Bryan Brayboy, whose expertise is “critical tribal race theory,” to lead the committee.
Peter Aitken of Fox News contributed to this report.
