More than two dozen members of Congress signed a letter condemning the University of Pennsylvania president’s response to the Hamas terror attacks and her willingness to allow an antisemitic festival on campus, The Post has learned.
UPenn’s President Liz Magill and Scott Bok, the chairman of the Ivy League school’s board of trustees, have come under fire from deep-pocketed alumni calling on both to resign following the Oct. 7 massacre.
The lawmakers, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, chimed in by taking the school’s leadership to task in the letter sent on Nov. 1.
“The shocking lack of a prompt and unequivocal condemnation from the University of Pennsylvania on this barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas raises serious concerns about the institution’s moral compass and its commitment to standing against terrorism and violence,” the letter reads.
The congressmen also cited the controversial Palestinian literary festival held weeks before the Hamas attack, which left more than 1,400 dead in Israel. More than 240 others were taken hostage and continue to be held in Gaza.
“The fact that UPenn was aware of and allowed known antisemitic speakers to come to campus is not only dangerous but shows a severe lack of judgment, which calls into question the leadership and value of your institution,” the note reads.
The letter went on to demand more action and an “immediate and robust response.”
“We implore you to act swiftly and decisively. It is your responsibility to condemn this terrorist attack unequivocally and publicly, disassociate the university from any student organization or professor endorsing violence, and take concrete steps to ensure that such ideologies that support and defend the actions of antisemitism and barbarism find no refuge at the University of Pennsylvania.”
The same day Magill was sent the missive, she unveiled details of a new Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism.
Magill did not return a request for comment.
Some alumni said the letter is further evidence of just how dire the situation is at Penn. Wall Street tycoon and former Wharton grad Marc Rowan has urged donors to “close their checkbooks” until Bok and Magill step down.
“It is unanimous that there is an alarming crisis of confidence in leadership at the university,” one Penn source told The Post.
On Friday, Penn alum and donor Steve Eisman — who was portrayed in the film “The Big Short” for his bet against collateralized debt obligations — said in a CNBC interview that he had instructed the university to remove his last name from a scholarship he endowed.
“I do not want my name associated with the University of Pennsylvania ever,” he said.
Eisman added the only thing that could change his mind is if the school’s leadership was removed.
The Post previously reported that Bok could face a possible no-confidence vote over accusations he has failed to address raging antisemitism across the Ivy League school’s campus. Ultimately, the measure lacked support from enough trustees to move forward.
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