Jewish Billionaire Joseph Edelman Resigns from Brown University Over Israel Divestment Vote

Joseph Edelman, a Jewish billionaire and a member of Brown University’s Board of Trustees, has resigned in protest over the university’s upcoming vote to divest from Israeli companies. The vote, scheduled for October, follows an agreement between Brown’s administration and pro-Palestinian student protesters calling for the university to withdraw investments due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Edelman explained his decision, condemning Brown’s willingness to even consider such a vote as a “stunning failure of moral leadership.” He referred to the planned divestment as a capitulation to the “hatred that led to the Holocaust and the atrocities of October 7,” when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel.

The billionaire hedge fund manager argued that Brown’s decision was driven by student activism rather than facts, calling it “a reward for disruptive and anti-Semitic protests.” He added that the university’s response to growing anti-Semitism on campus has been insufficient and dangerous, allowing groups affiliated with movements like BDS to gain influence.

Brown’s decision has drawn national attention, with 24 attorneys general from various U.S. states warning the university that it could face economic sanctions if the divestment is enacted. Critics also argue that introducing political motivations into the management of Brown’s $6 billion endowment sets a dangerous precedent.

This move follows a similar decision by San Francisco State University earlier this month to divest from companies with ties to the Israeli military, marking a concerning trend on U.S. campuses.