Protesters Stage Walkout of Event with Israeli Ambassador at HKS
Harvard Crimson | Miles J. Herszenhorn
“Chanting ‘end the occupation’ and ‘apartheid has got to go,’ Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine protesters disrupted an [April 7, 2022] event with Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, at the Harvard Kennedy School.”
One protester explained that those responsible “for Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism shouldn’t be welcomed at HKS.”
“Elad Strohmayer, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, wrote…that ‘the Ambassador came with the purpose of engaging in an open and honest dialogue. While the Ambassador welcomes criticism, it was a shame that a small group of students only cared to create a provocation,’ Strohmayer wrote. ‘Change can be achieved by listening to one another and the Ambassador came with this purpose: to listen to and to have a productive conversation with the students.’
Asked for comment, “HKS spokesperson James F. Smith said in a statement that the Kennedy School is ‘committed to open debate’…’The School recognizes students’ rights to non-disruptive protest and dissent as well as students’ rights to organize events and ensure that invited speakers can present their views and be asked questions.’
