Ethical Leadership in the Face of Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: University Presidents’ Responses to the October 7 Hamas Attack

Abstract

This study examines the role of university presidents in addressing the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. University presidents have historically been influential figures in societal discourse, and their roles have evolved to include addressing national and global issues. A qualitative analysis examined statements from leaders across 98 diverse U.S. universities. Themes emerged related to shared humanity, community impacts, and university actions. Fifty-nine universities issued more than one statement. A qualitative comparison was conducted between these statements. Implications for the challenges faced by university leaders in conducting core leadership tasks and future research are presented.