Harvard blocks role for former Human Rights Watch head over Israel criticism

The Harvard Kennedy School dean, Douglas Elmendorf, allegedly bowed to pressure, according to the Nation, which revealed the move, at a time when major donors and prominent Jewish organisations were particularly unhappy that HRW has accused Israel of practicing a form of apartheid in the occupied territories.

Roth told the Guardian that his first inkling that something was wrong came in a video conference call to introduce himself to Elmendorf.

Roth told the Guardian he now believes Elmendorf bowed to pressure from donors who are strong supporters of Israel.

Kennedy School alumni include more former heads of state or government than any similar institution, as well as cabinet ministers, top military officials and parliamentarians.

In 2017, Elmendorf bowed to objections from serving and former top CIA officials and withdrew a visiting fellowship offered to Chelsea Manning after her release from prison for violating the Espionage Act by giving WikiLeaks a stash of secret military and diplomatic documents.

The spurning of Roth is part of a broader assault on human rights groups over their criticisms of Israeli policies, which have escalated in recent years as increasingly rightwing governments tighten the grip on the occupied territories and the prospect of an independent Palestinian state has receded.

Other major universities have also snubbed critics of Israel including the board of the City University of New York, which blocked an award to the award-winning Jewish playwright Tony Kushner after he was accused of being anti-Israel.

Harvard Kennedy School has been approached for comment.