Kornbluth advises the MIT community to reject antisemitism and end targeting in her June 10 letter
On June 10, President Kornbluth sent an email to the MIT community about recent and ongoing incidents that she says have violated the Institute’s values and community standards by perpetuating antisemitism.
“I have been very clear that protecting freedom of expression is deeply important to the intellectual health and vitality of MIT,” Kornbluth wrote. “I have also been clear that we absolutely reject antisemitism, and that activism that crosses over into the harassment and targeting of individuals is never acceptable.”
On June 9, stickers were found in the Infinite Corridor and Building 16 containing “very hostile messages.” Some showed a desecrated Star of David, echoing antisemitic images with long historical roots. The MIT administration is currently investigating the incident. So far, the administration does not know the individuals behind these stickers. Kornbluth emphasized that such actions were “out of bounds,” stating that while it is valid to criticize any government’s actions, “desecrating a religious symbol crosses a terrible line.”
Rabbi Joel Dinin, the current acting director of MIT Hillel, wrote in a statement to The Tech stating that the MIT Jewish community was deeply hurt by and concerned about the antisemitic posters on campus. “Targeting Jews with hate has no place at MIT,” Dinin wrote. “We are grateful to the Institute for rejecting this bigotry unequivocally and urge our entire community to stand firmly against antisemitism in all its forms.”
Kornbluth later highlighted recent incidents of MIT community members being targeted at work over the past academic year. Kornbluth wrote, “This targeting centers on an unfair and willful public mischaracterization of their work.” Kornbluththen reiterated that regardless of political views, members of the MIT community must stop acts of threats, intimidation, and the spread of misinformation.
“I truly hope we can strive together, as members of one community, to navigate even our deepest and most passionate disagreements with civility and respect,” Kornbluth wrote.