Student anger mounts over Harvard findings on campus antisemitism, Islamophobia

Harvard University announced the task forces in January amid struggles to manage its campus response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. (AFP/File)
Harvard University announced the task forces in January amid struggles to manage its campus response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. (AFP/File)
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Updated 28 June 2024
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Student anger mounts over Harvard findings on campus antisemitism, Islamophobia

Student anger mounts over Harvard findings on campus antisemitism, Islamophobia
  • ‘Our voices were ignored,’ says Palestinian student organizer after divestment demands rejected
  • Task forces describe pro-Israel students’ situation as ‘dire,’ and claim pro-Palestinian students face ‘climate of intolerance’

LONDON: Students have criticized two Harvard University inquiries into antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus, accusing the investigative bodies of failing to listen to student concerns.

The university, long ranked one of the best in the world, set up two task forces earlier this year to investigate alleged antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias in the wake of campus unrest over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In findings handed down on Wednesday, each found a climate of discrimination and harassment on campus, and proposed ways to combat the problem.

The task force reports described the situation facing pro-Israel students as “dire,” and also said that pro-Palestinian students’ freedoms were being suppressed.

However, both Muslim and Jewish groups claimed the findings failed to fully address concerns voiced by students during the investigation.

These included demands that the university end its links with companies profiting from Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.

One task force was accused of focusing on a narrow segment of the Jewish community, ignoring anti-Zionist Jewish students.

The investigation focused “on one type of Jew,” a student said.

“By conflating being pro-Israel with being Jewish, the task force erases my identity and endangers Jews by transforming our religious identity into political hegemony.”

In another criticism, Mahmoud Al-Thabata, a Palestinian student and Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee organizer, said: “In all of the ‘listening sessions’ I have been to with the task force, the largest concern raised was Harvard’s complicity in every Israeli massacre against Palestinians.

“None of our voices, however, were listened to, as the task force’s report failed to suggest divestment from the apartheid and genocidal regime.”

The investigation into alleged anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias on campus found that Palestinian and pro-Palestinian students’ freedom of expression had been broadly suppressed, leaving them in “a state of uncertainty, abandonment, threat, and isolation,” and facing “a pervasive climate of intolerance.”

Many students believed that the words “Palestine” and “Palestinian” had become taboo on campus.

However, the antisemitism task force found that Jewish students felt singled out for their position on the Gaza issue, and repeatedly faced “derision, social exclusion, and hostility.”

While each task force reported hearing different experiences from community members, some common themes emerged, including a perception that the university has fallen short of its stated values, specifically those that celebrate diversity while respecting difference.

To address these issues, the task forces recommended measures that include anti-harassment training for students, appointing a visiting professor in Palestinian studies, and recruiting tenure-track faculty members to expand the school’s curriculum related to Palestinian studies.

The investigations also suggested clarifying policies around bullying and bias, and improving kosher and halal food options in campus dining halls.

Harvard University announced the task forces in January amid struggles to manage its campus response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Last week, Stanford University released reports from its own task forces, which found pervasive antisemitism and suppression of pro-Palestinian speech on campus.

The formation of the task forces followed the resignation of Harvard University President Claudine Gay, who faced a backlash over her congressional testimony on antisemitism, as well as accusations of plagiarism.

Some Jewish students filed a lawsuit against Harvard earlier this year, accusing the university of becoming “a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment.”

Toward the end of the academic year, pro-Palestinian students and activists set up camps on university campuses around the US, including at Harvard, in protest at the war. Police were called to dismantle the sites on some campuses.

Protesters at Harvard voluntarily took down their tents last month after university officials agreed to meet to discuss their questions.

However, the protesters remained at odds with the university after it announced that 13 students who took part in a protest camp would not be able to receive diplomas alongside their classmates.

With AP


Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank

Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank
Updated 30 April 2025
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Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank

Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank
  • Ali Al-Samoudi’s family denies claims of links to Islamic Jihad
  • Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemns reporter’s arrest

DUBAI: Israeli forces arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi during an overnight raid on Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to media reports.

Al-Quds newspaper correspondent Al-Samoudi, 58, was detained after the Israeli military raided and searched up his home in Al-Zahraa neighborhood, destroying “some of its contents”.

According to the military, he is accused of having ties with the militant Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization and transferring funds to the group. However, the military did not provide evidence to support the claim.

After he was interrogated at a disclosed location, Al-Samoudi was transferred to an Israeli hospital due to his health deteriorating, his son Mohammed told the BBC.

His family, who denies the accusations, was not informed of the name of the hospital where he was being treated, or any other details.

Al-Samoudi previously survived an attack by Israeli forces in 2022, the same assault that killed prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, who was a correspondent for Al-Jazeera.

Al-Samoudi was shot and wounded in his back.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned Al-Samoudi’s arrest in a statement on Tuesday.

As of April 30, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented 79 arrests of journalists by Israel in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza since Oct. 7 war began, in addition to five other arrests by the Palestinian authorities.

Forty-nine of these journalists, including the five held by Palestinian authorities, have since been released, while 35 remain under arrest.

The CPJ’s preliminary investigations also showed at least 176 journalists and media staff were killed during Israel’s war on Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon, marking the deadliest period for journalists in the region.


Houthi drone strike kills Yemeni-Dutch journalist, injures brother, says media watchdog

Houthi drone strike kills Yemeni-Dutch journalist, injures brother, says media watchdog
Updated 29 April 2025
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Houthi drone strike kills Yemeni-Dutch journalist, injures brother, says media watchdog

Houthi drone strike kills Yemeni-Dutch journalist, injures brother, says media watchdog
  • Musab Al-Hattami killed, brother Suhaib wounded working on documentary project in Marib

LONDON: A Yemeni-Dutch journalist has been killed and his brother injured in a drone strike carried out by Iran-backed Houthi forces near the central Yemeni city of Marib, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Musab Al-Hattami, a journalist and filmmaker, was killed on Saturday while filming a documentary in his family’s hometown. His brother, photographer Suhaib Al-Hattami, sustained serious injuries in the same attack, the US-based media watchdog said on Monday while condemning the strike.

Sara Qudah, regional director of the CPJ, said: “The killing of Musab Al-Hattami is yet another stark reminder to the international community that the warring parties in Yemen are violating international law by killing civilians. Such indiscriminate violence exposes all journalists, who are brave enough to document the war in Yemen, to extreme risk.

“We call on the international community to investigate the attack and hold those responsible to account.”

The Al-Hattami brothers had recently returned to Yemen from the Netherlands to report on the ongoing civil war and were working on a documentary project about their parents’ hometown when the strike occurred.

According to Dutch media outlet RTL, Houthi forces targeted the area with grenades and drones while the brothers were filming. Musab Al-Hattami and three government soldiers were killed, while Suhaib was seriously wounded.

Musab Al-Hattami, who had moved to the Netherlands after studying film in Jordan, held Dutch citizenship. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his death and said he was buried in Marib on Monday.

He is the 20th journalist to be killed in Yemen since 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition launched military operations against Houthi rebels who had seized the capital, Sanaa.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula announced in December 2024 it had executed 11 individuals, including Yemeni journalist Mohamed Al-Maqri, who had been abducted in 2015 and accused of spying. At least 18 journalists were killed in Yemen between 2015 and 2020.


15 media workers killed in Gaza 2025: Palestinian Journalists Syndicate

15 media workers killed in Gaza 2025: Palestinian Journalists Syndicate
Updated 29 April 2025
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15 media workers killed in Gaza 2025: Palestinian Journalists Syndicate

15 media workers killed in Gaza 2025: Palestinian Journalists Syndicate
  • Syndicate’s latest report documents rise in Israeli arrests, threats, harassment of journalists

LONDON: At least 15 media workers have been killed in Gaza since the start of 2025, according to a new report released by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.

The report, published over the weekend by the syndicate’s freedoms committee, which monitors Israeli violations against journalists, highlighted the continued direct targeting of media workers.

Seven journalists were killed in January and eight in March, the report stated.

In addition, family members of 17 journalists were killed, while 12 reporters’ homes were destroyed by rocket and shell attacks, with 11 injured in the assaults.

The report noted that violence against media crews extended beyond fatal attacks. It documented the arrest of 15 journalists, either at their homes or while on assignment. Some were released within hours or days, while others remain in detention.

The syndicate also recorded 49 death threats issued against journalists, many of whom were warned to evacuate the areas they were covering.

Legal harassment intensified as well, with the report citing over 10 cases in which journalists — mostly from the West Bank-based Al-Quds newspaper — were summoned for interrogation and banned from reporting near Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s Old City.

In the occupied West Bank, approximately 117 journalists faced physical assaults, repression, or reporting bans, particularly in Jenin and Jerusalem. The committee also documented 16 cases of work equipment being confiscated or destroyed.

The violence against journalists comes amid a renewed Israeli military campaign in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Israeli forces have intensified their offensive, cutting off vital supplies to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, leaving the enclave on the brink of famine.

Israel’s actions are now the subject of hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Tel Aviv faces accusations of violating international law by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The humanitarian toll has been devastating.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 61,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 14,000 others are missing and presumed dead, with civilians making up the vast majority of casualties.

Washington-based press watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists, has also raised alarm over the scale of media worker deaths, reporting that at least 176 journalists — almost all Palestinian — have been killed since Israel launched its assault on the Occupied Territories.


Al Majalla sets new benchmark for regional visual journalism with 13 wins at design awards

Al Majalla sets new benchmark for regional visual journalism with 13 wins at design awards
Updated 28 April 2025
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Al Majalla sets new benchmark for regional visual journalism with 13 wins at design awards

Al Majalla sets new benchmark for regional visual journalism with 13 wins at design awards
  • Arab News’ sister publication received 13 international honors at the Society of News Design’s 46th Best of News Design Creative Competition, including a prestigious Bronze Medal

RIYADH: Al Majalla has earned 13 international honors at the Society of News Design’s (SND) 46th Best of News Design Creative Competition, including a prestigious Bronze Medal. 

The awards, judged by a global panel of 42 visual journalists, recognize the most outstanding journalism and design work published worldwide in 2024. Nearly 5,000 entries were submitted to the 46th annual creative competition, with Al Majalla’s work honored alongside leading international titles such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, and National Geographic. 

Among the honors, Al Majalla received a Bronze Medal — a distinction awarded to visual storytelling that goes “beyond excellence,” demonstrating an elevated level of aesthetic execution, creativity, or degree of difficulty. The recognition was granted for a body of work focused on the special topic of conflict in the Middle East. 

“This achievement reflects our commitment to credible, in-depth journalism, and to presenting it in a way that resonates with global audiences,” said Al Majalla Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Hamidi. “This is just one step in our broader transformation journey — one that aims to center thoughtful reporting, bold editorial choices, and design-led storytelling at the core of our work.” 

In addition to the Bronze Medal, Al Majalla received 12 Awards of Excellence across categories including page design, illustration, animation, and special topics such as elections and drug-related issues in the Arab world. These awards are reserved for work that pushes the boundaries of traditional media through daring, innovative storytelling. 

“This is a recognition of the collaborative energy and bold thinking our team has brought to the table,” said Creative Director Sara Loane. “We’re reimagining how Arab journalism can look and feel — modern, intentional, and visually impactful.” 

This is a standout moment that reflects not only creative excellence but also the momentum behind Al Majalla’s editorial evolution. It underscores Al Majalla’s place in SRMG’s wider digital evolution, where innovation and substance go hand in hand to redefine how journalism engages and endures. 


Tortoise Media to relaunch Observer this weekend

Tortoise Media to relaunch Observer this weekend
Updated 26 April 2025
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Tortoise Media to relaunch Observer this weekend

Tortoise Media to relaunch Observer this weekend
  • World’s oldest Sunday paper to become company’s flagship brand
  • Observer will not be ‘another daily newspaper just on the seventh day of the week,’ says Tortoise founder James Harding

LONDON: Tortoise Media is set to publish its first edition of The Observer this weekend, following the formal completion of its acquisition of the 234-year-old Sunday newspaper from Guardian Media Group.

A dedicated Observer website will launch on Friday, with the first in-house print edition under Tortoise’s ownership hitting newsstands on Sunday. The relaunch also marks a return to print for Tortoise founder James Harding, who has formerly been editor of The Times, director of BBC News, and a journalist at the Financial Times.

“The world’s oldest Sunday paper is also going to be the newest. You’ll see the paper will change, but change gradually,” Harding told the Financial Times.

The Observer will become Tortoise Media’s flagship brand, while the Tortoise name will be retained as a sub-brand for long-form investigations and other digital content.

The historic Sunday paper, renowned for its investigative reporting, international coverage, and analysis, has long played a prominent role in covering major global events, including the Middle East. It took a bold editorial stance during the Suez Crisis, when then-editor David Astor criticized the British-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt. It also distinguished itself with coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iraq War — including early exposure of faulty intelligence on weapons of mass destruction — and British complicity in torture during the War on Terror.

The new Observer website will focus on “making sense of the headlines” rather than competing with rolling news outlets like the BBC or The Guardian, Tortoise’s digital editor Basia Cummings said in a recent interview.

“But news, culture and style are the main pillars of our newsroom,” Cummings added, noting that the publication would maintain its “investigative, internationalist” editorial identity, alongside staples such as the Observer New Review, Observer Magazine, and Observer Food Monthly.

The digital offering will include a daily email newsletter and, later this year, a slate of new podcasts. Events and festivals — part of Tortoise’s existing engagement model — are also planned.

The new website is an “initial version.” A full relaunch, including a mobile app and paywall, is expected in the coming months. Until then, content will be free to access as part of a first-party data strategy.

The relaunch comes as Tortoise looks to strengthen its position in the British and international media landscape. According to the Financial Times, British insurance tycoon Sir Clive Cowdery — founder of the Resolution Foundation and publisher of Prospect magazine — has agreed to join the Tortoise board and invest in the venture.

Although Tortoise has incurred financial losses of around £3 million, the company has pledged to invest £25 million into The Observer. Concerns about the financial stability of the loss-making startup have been raised by journalists at both titles, but new funds are expected from backers including South African businessman and Labour Party donor Gary Lubner, and Standard Investments, part of the US-based Standard Industries group.

As part of the deal, the Guardian Media Group’s owner, The Scott Trust, has taken a 9 percent stake in Tortoise, following a £5 million commitment.

“I don’t think that it makes sense for The Observer to be another daily newspaper, just on the seventh day of the week,” Harding said. “We’re not in the business of being a breaking news service; we want to understand what’s driving the news.”