A Backlash Causes INSEAD’s Dean To Issue A Second Message On Hamas Attack On Israel

After a backlash from students and alumni over his first message to alumni on the Hamas attack in Israel, INSEAD Dean Francisco Veloso found it necessary to issue a second message acknowledging the suffering and loss of Palestinian lives.

The dean’s first message to INSEAD alumni was among the strongest issued by a business school dean. “INSEAD strongly condemns the horrific terrorist assaults committed by Hamas in Israel,” he wrote. “We are sickened by the barbaric acts of terror carried out indiscriminately against innocent civilians. We firmly condemn the atrocities against humanity causing such pain to the victims, their families, and communities.”

Veloso, who assumed his role as dean at INSEAD in September after serving in the top leadership role at Imperial College Business School in London,  quickly heard from students and alumni who complained that the dean had failed to note that many innocent Palestinians were being killed in Israel’s bombing attacks on Gaza. In his new letter, Veloso makes clear that citizens of both Israel and Gaza are suffering. “I have continued to speak with the wider INSEAD community, and it has become clear that my deep compassion for the loss of lives and the humanitarian situation of all civilians affected was not fully conveyed in my previous message,” he wrote. “While my words may have fallen short, please know that my intentions in connecting and supporting our entire community are genuine.”

INSEAD DEAN CALLED OUT PUBLICLY BY AN ALUM

On what is a bitterly divided issue, university and business school leadership has struggled to balance support and sympathy for Israel with equivalent concern for Palestinians in Gaza who had nothing to do with the attack by a terrorist group. That is even more apparent at a school such as INSEAD with its incredibly diverse group of students and alumni.

Veloso was called out publicly by a 2002 alum who called his statement “hollow” for its failure to explicitly recognize “the human rights of Palestinians.” The alum, Usama Malik, is the founder of consulting firm in Washington, D.C., called Humanly Advisors, and a venture partner at NextGen Venture Partners.  “We can be for the Israeli people and against their right-wing fascist government,” he wrote. “We can be for the Palestinian people and against the violence conducted by a terrorist organization like Hamas. What we ask for is consideration of equal human dignity for all.”

“Hamas’ attacks last week were heinous and despicable,” added Malik in a critical essay on Medium.  “Each human life is equally precious. We can acknowledge the terror that these acts created, and at the same time acknowledge the daily terror that the State of Israel creates in the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. In 1980, ~100,000 settlers had moved into the occupied territory of Palestine. Today, nearly 800,000 settlers have forcibly moved into Palestinian territory, further displacing the indigenous people of the land. Effectively, the Israeli government has mirrored the strategy of Apartheid South Africa, and created numerous Bantustans that today preclude any reasonable discussion of a two-state solution. And as you probably know well, Gaza effectively has become the largest ‘open-air prison’ in the world for the past twenty years, with little clean water, electricity, and access to critical resources. Just in the past 24 hours, even the UN has declared the indiscriminate bombings and displacement of Gazans as ‘ethnic cleansing.’”

‘IT HAS BEEN HUMBLING TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF INSEAD ALUMNI AND STUDENTS’

Veloso got the message. “It has been humbling to read and listen to the views and experiences of our INSEAD alumni and students,” he wrote. “Your feedback and perspectives are extremely important. You have reminded us that the school’s greatest impact in situations of conflict is to lever the power of education, and our vibrant and diverse community with 110 different nationalities in the latest MBA class. While my thoughts are with all of those affected, let me reiterate that INSEAD condemns any use of violence against civilians. We support the promotion and protection of human rights, the observance of international law, and the provision of humanitarian aid.”

He is not the first business school dean who has felt compelled to put out a second message after a backlash. At UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, acting dean Jennifer Chatman also issued a second statement to ease student concerns. Last Monday, Chatman put out the first message of support for all who were hurt or impacted by the violence.  “I am saddened that my first message to you as acting dean comes as the world reacts to new bloodshed and fear in the Middle East,” she wrote. “I am heartbroken by the loss of life and outraged by civilian casualties.”

What she didn’t do, however, was condemn Hamas for the attack nor refer to the attackers as terrorists. Some students were outraged as a result. The acting dean received a large volume of emails sent from current students and alumni as well as a letter campaign asking her to amend her statement.

Two days after Chatman’s first email, she sent a second message, signed by a group of deans and senior leaders. In it, Chatman invited students, faculty, staff, and alumni to a community conversation, which took place on Thursday. “Since the terrorist attack Hamas launched on Israel on Saturday, we have spoken with many of you who have been deeply affected by its horrific consequences,” she added. “We see that our community is hurting, afraid, and exhausted. Terrorist actions against innocent people are indefensible; they are inconsistent with our fundamental humanity, and we must condemn them. We are all bracing for how the violence will reverberate in the immediate future and over generations to come in Israel, Gaza, and around the world.”

INSEAD Dean Francisco Veloso’s First Message

I am writing to you in response to the shocking bloodshed in the Middle East. INSEAD strongly condemns the horrific terrorist assaults committed by Hamas in Israel. We are sickened by the barbaric acts of terror carried out indiscriminately against innocent civilians. We firmly condemn the atrocities against humanity causing such pain to the victims, their families, and communities.

The full extent and horror of the acts are beyond what any of us could have imagined. Over the past few days, I have taken the time to engage and speak with many members of our community to understand the magnitude of what is happening and the suffering inflicted on so many people, as well as to offer our support. I have also been touched by the many acts of kindness and generosity that are taking place across our community.

I want to express my gratitude to our students, alumni, and colleagues for sharing their personal and often painful experiences with me. I know that many people in our community have been affected in profound ways and I want you all to know that I and the INSEAD community are with you and your loved ones in these trying times. I encourage those in need of help to contact the school’s Psychological Services team for support.

We are very concerned for the safety, security, and well-being of our own community, as well as many others who are suffering and fearful as further escalations unfold in Israel, Gaza, and the broader region. We will continue to dialogue with all our community to find ways to aid and support all of those in need.

INSEAD was founded after the Second World War to bring together people from different countries and backgrounds to foster mutual understanding and collaboration, and ultimately promote peace. Our commitment to this mission is unwavering. We stand together for humanity. We will continue to firmly stand against terrorism, against violence, and against racist narratives, including antisemitism.

Given the very difficult times ahead, now more than ever it is imperative that we support one another. We are a diverse global community, and we must continue to prioritize solidarity and respect.

Let’s take care of each other.

Francisco Veloso
Dean of INSEAD

INSEAD Dean Francisco Veloso’s Second Message

I am reaching out to you following my recent message. Our community is feeling intense pain over the suffering and loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives.

I have continued to speak with the wider INSEAD community, and it has become clear that my deep compassion for the loss of lives and the humanitarian situation of all civilians affected was not fully conveyed in my previous message. While my words may have fallen short, please know that my intentions in connecting and supporting our entire community are genuine.

It has been humbling to read and listen to the views and experiences of our INSEAD alumni and students. Your feedback and perspectives are extremely important. You have reminded us that the school’s greatest impact in situations of conflict is to lever the power of education, and our vibrant and diverse community.

While my thoughts are with all of those affected, let me reiterate that INSEAD condemns any use of violence against civilians. We support the promotion and protection of human rights, the observance of international law, and the provision of humanitarian aid.

As we advance, we will develop a framework and instruments for continued dialogue and support, and we will look to our alumni to inform that process. INSEAD’s mission of bringing people together is more important than ever.

Let us continue to reach out and take care of each other.
Francisco Veloso

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