Donor Backlash: Top Universities Lose Funding Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Wealthy donors and alumni are criticizing elite US colleges for their responses to the Israel-Hamas war and are closing their checkbooks in protest. Some notable donors, including the Huntsman family and billionaire Estée Lauder heir Ronald Lauder, have announced they will no longer donate to the University of Pennsylvania. Similar actions have been taken at Harvard, where the Wexner Foundation ended its partnership with the university. Donors are expressing their disagreement with what they perceive as weak stances on antisemitism and failure to condemn Hamas. The ongoing conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and a blockade on Gaza.