2024-09-09 18:33:30
Billionaire Joseph Edelman, founder of hedge fund Perceptive Advisors, has announced his resignation from the Brown University Board of Trustees, where he served for many years.
In an article published September 9 in The Wall Street Journal, he explained his decision.
It should be noted that the conflict began in April 2024, when, during the “student intifada,” the university agreed to cut all ties with Israel in exchange for dismantling a protest camp on campus. This event caused a wide resonance and gave impetus to new anti-Semitic actions.
A committee was later created that recommended “cancelling all investments in Israel” to ensure peace on campus. The recommendations will be considered in November 2024 by the Board of Trustees, which is chaired by Brian Moynihan.
Edelman believes that even the appointment is a “moral abomination” and “capitulation to the rioters.” He noted that holding such a vote after the horrific attack on the Jewish people on October 7, 2024 is immoral. He said that Israel has an obligation to protect its citizens, like any other state.
Edelman also expressed the opinion that Israel is unfairly required to sacrifice the lives of its citizens to save the lives of enemies, called civilians. He added that the decision of the university leadership is not related to values, but is dictated by weakness in front of activists who support Hamas and the BDS movement. Edelman noted that BDS tries to legitimize anti-Semitism in American institutions and is often associated with terrorist organizations.
He stressed that the university’s policy of appeasement is, in essence, a capitulation to the hatred that led to the Holocaust and the atrocities of October 7.
“Anti-Semitic voices were already being heard on campus before Israel responded to the October 7 attack. Why shouldn’t (the university leadership) listen to these ‘voices’ about whether Israel has a right to exist. Or even like this: whether Jews have a right to exist. And hold a vote on these issues as well. For the sake of completeness,” the billionaire said.
In conclusion, Edelman called the university’s actions a “stunning failure” and stressed that he no longer wants his name associated with the institution.
Edelman is Brown University’s largest donor, giving nearly $2 million this year alone, according to The Brown Daily Herald.
Earlier, Cursor reported that anti-Israeli protests have engulfed Harvard.