Harvard students complete diversion program after assaulting Israeli classmate

In 2025, Elom Tettey-Tamaklo and Ibrahim Bharmal, students at Harvard University, were involved in an incident where they assaulted an Israeli classmate during a protest against Israel. The altercation occurred on October 18, 2023, during an anti-Israel 'die-in' protest at Harvard Business School, which was targeting Israel's military actions against Hamas. This demonstration drew controversy and criticism, especially from prominent figures associated with Harvard, highlighting concerns over the treatment of Jewish students on campus. Subsequently, the two students faced criminal charges for their actions and were scheduled for a pretrial diversion program, which included attending an anger management class and performing community service. This procedure was approved by a Suffolk County judge, marking a step toward resolving the legal matters stemming from the incident. Both individuals remained in good standing at Harvard throughout the process and were still expected to graduate in May 2025, although their future job prospects and degree conferral were uncertain during the ongoing legal proceedings. The university's response to the incident has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding its cooperation with law enforcement during the investigation. Harvard did not assist the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in identifying additional perpetrators or gathering further evidence. This lack of collaboration raised questions about the institution's commitment to addressing anti-Semitism and protecting students. The case attracted attention not only from the university community but also from broader national discussions concerning campus anti-Semitism and hate speech. The fallout from this incident resulted in tensions between various stakeholders, such as Harvard's administration, the Trump administration, and various alumni. The Trump administration criticized Harvard for failing to act decisively against the individuals involved in the altercation and suggested that they should face expulsion. However, despite the political and social outcry, both Tettey-Tamaklo and Bharmal received a fellowship from the Harvard Law Review and demonstrated active involvement in other academic pursuits, such as immigration law. The overall impact of the incident and subsequent response may continue to influence campus culture and policies regarding free speech and the treatment of minority groups.