Len Blavatnik (Wikipedia)
Prominent Jewish philanthropist and billionaire Len Blavatnik has severed ties with Harvard University, citing its perceived inaction against student support for Hamas, a Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
Blavatnik, a Ukrainian-born American businessman, had previously donated nearly $300 million to Harvard, making him one of the university’s most generous benefactors. His decision to withhold future donations signifies a significant financial blow to the institution.
Blavatnik, along with other Jewish donors like Bill Ackman, has expressed outrage over reports of Harvard student groups supporting Hamas and its anti-Israel activities. They argue that the university’s failure to address this issue demonstrates a tolerance for antisemitism.
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The controversy surrounding Harvard President Claudine Gay’s congressional testimony on antisemitism further fueled Blavatnik’s frustration. Critics accused Gay of downplaying the issue and failing to take decisive action against anti-Semitic incidents on campus.
Blavatnik’s decision reflects a broader trend of rising concerns about antisemitism on American college campuses. Several high-profile incidents in recent years have sparked outrage and calls for universities to take stronger action.
Len Blavatnik is not alone in his frustration. Other wealthy Jewish donors have also threatened to withhold donations from universities deemed insufficiently proactive in combating antisemitism. This financial pressure could force institutions to prioritize the issue more seriously.
Blavatnik’s decision has undoubtedly shaken Harvard and reignited the debate about antisemitism on college campuses. Whether this will lead to meaningful change remains to be seen. However, the issue can no longer be ignored, and universities will need to find effective ways to address it if they want to retain donors’ support and ensure their Jewish students’ well-being.
In November, Len Blavatnik joined fellow Jewish donor Marc Rowan, Apollo CEO, in announcing his anger at the University of Pennsylvania. And threatened to cut schools like that financially if it did not take action against the anti-Israel groups.
In a letter explaining his decision, as cited in the New York Post, Len Blavatnik wrote, “The university’s condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist attacks … is fundamental to its academic mission and responsibility. So, too, is your recognition that antisemitism is resurgent on campus and that immediate steps are needed.”
“Unfortunately, I’m not close enough to the university to recommend the necessary steps,” he added. “Accordingly, I will rely on the guidance of my friend and colleague, Marc Rowan, as things move forward.”
Len Blavatnik is the chairman and CEO of Access Industries, a multinational conglomerate. Blavatnik is one of the richest in the world. Forbes estimated his net worth at $32.1 billion.
Len Blavatnik was born in 1957 in the Ukrainian city of Odesa and is a dual British-American citizen. His father was an engineer, and his mother was a housewife. Blavatnik graduated from the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineering in 1978 and later received a master’s degree in computer science from Columbia University in 1983.
Len Blavatnik has been honored with many awards for his social work. He was awarded the American-Ukrainian Business Council’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 2014, and in 2017, he received a knighthood of the British Empire.
