Former Northwestern University President Dr. Morton Schapiro withdrew as the commencement speaker for Georgetown Law School after facing student opposition over his pro-Israel views. The school's interim dean, Joshua C. Teitelbaum, had announced Schapiro's selection in April, citing his expertise on higher education challenges. However, students criticized his lack of connection to the law school and his stance on the Israel-Gaza war.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Schapiro's withdrawal followed a student-led petition and public criticism. In a statement, Schapiro cited concerns about distracting from the graduation festivities. Students had accused him of downplaying Israeli actions in Gaza and blaming media and universities for antisemitic protests.
Deeper Dive & Context
Student Opposition
Georgetown Law students, including Matt Latibashvili, argued Schapiro's views on the Israel-Gaza conflict were 'despicable and disqualifying.' They criticized his criticism of universities for not cracking down on antisemitic protests during the war. A petition circulated to remove him as the speaker.
Schapiro's Perspective
Schapiro had previously written about universities' handling of antisemitic protests in the Jewish Journal. He emphasized that commencements should focus on celebrating graduates, not divisive issues.
Broader Context
The incident reflects ongoing tensions on college campuses over Israel-Gaza discourse. Similar debates have emerged at other universities, including NYU, where a student's anti-Israel graduation speech led to disciplinary action.