President Frederick Lawrence requests dialogue with Al-Quds University

Al-Quds University President Sari Nusseibeh has made a number of remarks and serious accusations to the media that have not been conveyed to me personally or through my staff. I am reaching out to President Nusseibeh today and hope that he will be open to that discussion.

As I have indicated to him directly, this decision by Brandeis University was taken deliberatively and with broad input. The partnership was suspended – not terminated – pending the receipt of additional information including input from our faculty members.

My position on the issue of free speech and hate speech, a subject that I have studied for my entire professional and academic career, can be read on my blog. I am dedicated to keeping the lines of communication open between our institutions. But I will not respond to specific issues raised in the public media.