Gary Fitleberg, December 23, 2004

Anti-Israel efforts on campus have receded, but there is still cause for concern, Harvard University’s president said.

Anti-Semitism persists particularly in leftist circles in Europe and among U.S. academics, Lawrence Summers said Wednesday at a discussion on anti-Semitism sponsored by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Anti-Zionism and anti-Israel attitudes are used as a springboard for anti-Semitism, Summers said, but he warned against overreacting to the antics of a few "misguided people" by predicting a new Nazi threat. Summers drew widespread attention two years ago when he used a Harvard speech to criticize calls for divestment from companies doing business in Israel, warning that anti-Israel activities tended toward anti-Semitism.

Earlier this week, Summers received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University for his action against anti-Semitism on college campuses.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg