Lara Jirmanus, a Lebanese-Palestinian faculty member at Harvard University, has positioned herself as one of the most vocal pro-Palestinian activists on campus, using her medical and academic credentials to promote a highly politicized and inflammatory narrative. Jirmanus consistently portrays Israel as a genocidal regime while minimizing or ignoring the role of Hamas and other terrorist groups in the conflict.

Lara Jirmanus and Her History of Extremism

• Instrumental in FSJP’s Founding at Harvard
  In January 2024, Jirmanus signed the founding letter that launched Harvard’s chapter of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP). She also endorsed a broader coalition letter demanding the university sever all ties with Israel, framing Harvard as complicit in “genocide” and “apartheid.”

• Claims of Institutional Complicity in Genocide
  In April and May 2024, Jirmanus repeatedly accused Harvard of investing in and profiting from genocide. In interviews and public statements, she described the university’s financial ties as morally criminal and called for full divestment from all companies linked to Israel.

• Promoting the ‘Palestine Exception’ Narrative
  She co-authored multiple articles, including “Harvard’s Punitive ‘Palestine Exception’” and “To Repair Trust, Harvard Must End the Palestine Exception and Let Seniors Graduate”, accusing the administration of silencing Palestinian advocacy while ignoring Jewish safety concerns. These writings attempt to frame any disciplinary or security response as a suppression of political speech.

• Support for Encampments and Protests
  In May 2024, she actively supported the illegal pro-Palestinian encampments at Harvard, which disrupted campus operations and created a hostile environment for Jewish students. She publicly endorsed the protesters’ demands and joined rallies pushing for divestment from Israel.

• Medical Rhetoric Used to Justify Activism
  In January 2024, she joined a webinar titled “Palestine Speaks: Medical Response to Genocide in Palestine,” using her position as a healthcare professional to give weight to accusations of genocide. In January 2025, she also participated in a healthcare workers’ rally for Gaza.

• Digital Advocacy and Public Mobilization
  Jirmanus maintains active social media accounts on Instagram and X (@larazjmd), where she shares anti-Israel posts, promotes encampment updates, and amplifies messaging from FSJP and other anti-Zionist organizations.

Summary

Lara Jirmanus has weaponized her medical credentials and academic platform to advance a radical anti-Israel agenda. Her efforts have not only polarized campus discourse but have also directly contributed to an unsafe atmosphere for Jewish students. By accusing Harvard of genocide and defending disruptive protest activity, she has become a central figure in the movement to delegitimize Israel and undermine institutional neutrality under the guise of social justice.