US halts USD 60 mln Harvard grant over pro-Palestine protest dispute

WASHINGTON, May 20 (KUNA) -- The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated the USD 60 million federal grant to Harvard University, citing its failure to address "anti-Semitic harassment" related to pro-Palestine protests. "HHS is taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education" the department stated late Monday on X, adding " In the Trump Administration, discrimination will not be tolerated on campus. Federal funds must support institutions that protect all students." Earlier this month, the federal government decided to cut funding to Harvard after the university refused demands for stricter disciplinary action against pro-Palestine protests.
In response, Harvard rejected the government's threat to suspend funding unless it punished students involved in the pro-Palestine protest, along with implementing restrictive pressure to restrain future protests through campus regulations. Trump Administration issued similar warnings to other universities, over the pro-Palestine protests. (end) as.sar