Kirsten Weld is a Professor of History at Harvard University, specializing in modern Latin America. However, her academic credentials are overshadowed by her vocal support for anti-Israel movements and her role in fostering antisemitic rhetoric on campus. Through her affiliations with organizations like Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Weld has positioned herself as a leading figure in promoting extremist narratives at Harvard. Her actions and public statements have contributed to a hostile campus climate, normalizing antisemitism and encouraging disruptive activism.
Kirsten Weld’s Support for Extremist Movements
- 2014: Signed a letter to President Obama condemning Israel’s “disproportionate use of force” in Gaza, without any mention of Hamas’ role in the conflict.
- 2014: Publicly supported the BDS movement by signing a letter that defended the legitimacy of boycotts against Israel.
Promotion of Antisemitic Rhetoric
- 2023: Criticized former Harvard President Claudine Gay for denouncing the genocidal slogan “From the River to the Sea,” a phrase commonly associated with the call for Israel’s destruction.
- 2024: Signed a petition from the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) condemning Claudine Gay’s stance against antisemitic slogans. The petition also called for protecting pro-Palestinian groups on campus, ignoring their promotion of extremist narratives.
Defense of Hostile Campus Activities
- 2024: Co-signed an Op-Ed in the Harvard Crimson defending illegal and violent student encampments protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These encampments disrupted campus life and promoted extremist rhetoric.
Spreading False Accusations
- 2025: Signed a petition by “Historians for Peace and Democracy” urging the American Historical Association not to veto a resolution accusing Israel of “scholasticide”—the alleged systematic destruction of Palestinian academic institutions. The petition falsely claimed that Israel was targeting professors, researchers, and students in Gaza and the West Bank.
Dangerous Influence on Campus
Kirsten Weld’s continued support for anti-Israel movements and defense of extremist slogans fosters a hostile environment on Harvard’s campus. By legitimizing violent protests and promoting false narratives about Israel, Weld contributes to the normalization of antisemitism and the spread of dangerous misinformation among students.
